Referee Courses

Our Referee Education Programme currently consists of the following courses:

Go-Games – Basic Refereeing – Course Fee €100 (to organise course)

This course is available for participants from 15 years and will only allow you to referee up to under 12 non-competitive small sided games. During this course participants will:

• Be introduced to the basic rules of Ladies Gaelic Football
• Discuss the roles and responsibilities of referees
• Develop the fundamental skills of refereeing to enable to referee in a fun, safe environment

Duration:  Course is maximum 3 hours in duration which can be held during day or over an evening.  This course is also delivered as part of the LGFA TY programme. 

To find out when the next Go Games course is being run near you, contact your County Development Officer or see the Leinster Course Calendar. 

Youth Club Referee Course – Course Fee €200 (to organise course)

This course is available for participants from 17 years and on completion of the course the referee will be qualified to referee up to Club U16.

This course aims to recruit and train new Ladies Football referees.

Duration:  The course consists of one 7 hours contact day including a 1.5 hour blitz on the afternoon of course day

To find out when the next Youth Club Referee course is being run near you, contact your County Development Officer or see the Leinster Course Calendar. 

Level 1 – Introduction to Refereeing  – Course Fee €200 (to organise course)

This course is for participants aged 17 years of age or over. During this course participants will:

• Be introduced to the rules of Ladies Gaelic Football
• Discuss the roles and responsibilities of referees
• Develop the fundamental skills of refereeing through simulated tasks
• Receive information on physical fitness and nutritional requirements for officiating Ladies Gaelic Football games

This course consists of two 6 hour contact days, one non competitive blitz day and one 2 hour evening. Participants must complete the FULL course to get certification.

To find out when the next Level 1 course is being run near you, contact your County Development Officer or see the Leinster Course Calendar. 

Level 2 – Refresher Course – Course Fee €100 (to organise course)

This is a refresher course for participants who have completed GYW Level 1 course/Referees who have refereed gaelic football for a min of 5 years. This course should be organised annually by every county to ensure all referees are fully aware of the rules of the game.  All participants must have completed the LGFA Grab your Whistle Level 1 course or have refereed gaelic football for a minimum of 5 years.

Duration: 3 Hours

To find out when the next Level 2 course is being run for your County, contact your County Development Officer

Umpire and Linesperson Course

Training is available for those wishing to be involved with a Provincial team of officials, especially for upcoming referees.

To find out more, contact Stephen Maxwell gdo.leinster@lgfa.ie / 087 7681288

Leinster Referee Accelerate Programme 

The Leinster LGFA Referee Accelerate programme is run every second year for referees looking to join the Provincial Panel of referees. This programme is designed to support the development of referees looking to step up to Inter-County refereeing and is held throughout the season. Participants are required to attend four modules and pass a number of assessments in order to complete the programme and be accepted onto the Leinster Panel.

Minimum Requirements to apply

• Min 21. Years old
• 4 years refereeing experience
• LGFA GYW Level 1 qualified
• Recommendation from County Board

The 2019-2020 Leinster Referee Accelerate Programme is now CLOSED. The next programme will be run in 2021.

If you are interested in applying for the next Accelerate Programme, please contact Leinster Games Development Officer gdo.leinster@lgfa.ie or 087 768 1288.

Level 3 – Provincial Referee Course

This course is organised twice a year for referees on the Leinster Panel. The content varies every course and it is aimed to ensure consistency in provincial refereeing and that Provincial Referees are continually developing their skills. Referees will receive a written and fitness assessment.

Level 4 – National Referee Course

This course is organised twice a year for referees on our National Panel. The content varies every course and it is aimed to ensure consistency in national refereeing and that National Referees are continually developing their skills.

For more information or to organise a Referee Course for your Club/County please contact

Clare Conlon at (01) 8363156 or email: developmentsupport@lgfa.ie 

To register your interest for a course contact your County Development Officer