It exists to support, inform and develop match officials at every stage in their careers. On passing your Basic Referee Course, you have the opportunity to join RA-FA and take advantage of The FA Incentive Scheme (please see below for more information).
What are the benefits of being part of RA-FA?
• Incentives to act as a match official, assessor, mentor, tutor, fitness leader and for introducing friends to refereeing
• New referees will receive a badge to wear on their referees’ kit.
Newly trained referees will receive this badge free of charge after officiating six matches of eleven-a-side football which is a required element of the Basic Course
• Regular in-service training at all stages of your career
• Organised physical training activities and advice on fitness and diet
• Up to date information on the laws of the game and advice on their application
• Open Learning Courses on The FA website
• A Record of Achievement in which to keep awarded certificates
• Continuous Service awards
• Copies of ‘Refereeing’ magazine free of charge
What is my RA-FA number?
Upon passing your Basic Referee Course, which includes filling in and returning to your County FA your 6-match or Record of Achievement form (please see below), you automatically becoming an associate member of RA-FA and are issued with a unique 5-digit number.
This is different to your FAN (formerly known as NPD) number. If you do not know your FAN number, please contact your County FA.
What is the FA Incentive Scheme?
The scheme is a free initiative which aims to encourage newly qualified and existing referees to officiate on games and gain experience. The scheme works on a points system. On joining, you will receive a log book in which you record any games you officiate throughout the season and you will collect points for doing so. Points can also be collected for participating in various other activities such as mentoring, attending seminars, training and meetings and for acting as a tutor or assessor. These points can be redeemed for items of referees kit and equipment towards the end of each season.
How do I join the RA-FA Incentive Scheme?
There are two of ways to join the scheme:
• Tick the box at the bottom of your 6-match Record of Achievement application form before sending it to your County FA if you are currently training to become a referee
• Request to join by emailing RA-FA@TheFA.com if you are already qualified
What games count to collect points for on the RA-FA Incentive Scheme?
When collecting points, please adhere to the following criteria for what games count:
• All games officiated must be officially sanctioned competitions and leagues and not friendlies.
• Only eleven-a-side (11v11) games will count.
• Football of all ages, genders and abilities are eligible for points collection.
• Games must be below Supply League level.
• You will collect equal points for acting as a Referee, Assistant Referee, Fourth Official or an Assessor.
Further information can be found in the back of your log book.
When can I redeem my points?
It is important that you fill out your log book correctly and keep it in your possession until the time that log books can be sent in to First Media Solutions (the company who runs the scheme) for verification. This can be done from April of each season, but before 31 July. Any log books that are submitted after this date will not be accepted. Points cannot be carried over to the next year.
Even if you do not believe you have earned enough points to claim, please ensure you return your log book by 31 July each season. This ensures you will continue to receive log books for future season. Log books are only sent to those members who have returned their log book for the previous season.
Once you have your logbook completed and ready to send, take photocopies of your logbook, then if it should get lost in the post, you will still be able to make a claim. Make sure you put sufficient postage on and send to First Media Solutions Ltd, Tattershall Way, Fairfield Ind. Est., Louth, Lincs LN11 0YZ.
The redeeming of all points can now be done online. You can view the items available in the scheme by logging onto www.RA-FA.co.uk using your surname and Match Official number. Once your log book has been verified, you will receive an email stating that your points are loaded onto the website ready to spend. Additional points can also be purchased here to spend on the site.
I still have my completed log book from last season. Can I redeem my Incentive Scheme points now?
No. Unfortunately the deadline for logbooks to be sent in each year is 31 July and any books received after this date will not be processed.
How do I know if my logbook was received?
You will receive an email to let you know when your log book has been verified and your points are ready to be redeemed online. It usually takes seven days for this to happen. If, after ten days you have not received an email, please contact us on RA-FA@firstmedia.co.uk or 01507 610043.
When will my order be sent out?
Once the order has been placed, please allow 21 days for it to be dispatched, a little longer if you have ordered embroidered items. All orders are sent out with Royal Mail 2nd class, so please allow 15 working days for it to be delivered. If you have not received it after this time please telephone 01507 610043 - please do not leave it until the end of the season.
What if I have a problem with the goods I receive?
If you have any problems regarding your order or with the goods you receive please contact First Media on 01507 610043 or email RA-FA@firstmedia.co.uk.
If you have a query regarding RA-FA, want to know your RA-FA number or wish to join incentive scheme, please contact RA-FA@theFA.com or 0844 980 0621. For all other enquiries, please see below:
For replacement incentive scheme log books and queries regarding the incentive scheme and online shop, please contact RA-FA@firstmedia.co.uk.
For queries including how to become a referee, promotion, Record of Achievement folders and County FA issues, please contact Sharon Lloyd:
Tel: 01582 567714 (afternoons only 12.30pm to 5.00pm)
Email: refereeing@bedfordshirefa.com