Refereeing at Virginia United FC

Becoming a Club Referee takes three steps. Work through them in order - Step 3 requires Step 2 to be active first.

Step 1 - Complete the Club Referee Certification

Watch the short video and complete the online quiz at Certificate Course Link. You'll receive a certificate on completion. Save it - you'll need it for Step 3. This is the foundation of your referee registration and takes around 20 minutes.

Step 2 - Register on Play Football

Complete your national registration as a Club Referee at PlayFootball Registration. Players under 18 are exempt from the Blue Card requirement. Allow up to 24 hours for your registration to activate before moving to Step 3.

Step 3 - Register on Squadi

Once your Play Football registration is active, register as a Club Referee for Virginia United FC on Squadi. Upload your certificate from Step 1 when prompted and select Virginia United FC as your club.

Once all three steps are complete, our admin team will be in touch to get you started.

Appointments are managed through Spond. When fixtures are published each week, our admin team will assign you to games and confirm via Spond. Once appointed, you'll be attached to your games in Squadi so you can manage results on the day.

Arrive at the club at least 10 minutes before your first game. Match balls and referee bibs are available in the referee room. Aaron, our Referee Coordinator, is on site every Saturday morning from 8am to support junior referees through their games.

Entering Results in Squadi

After each game you referee, you are responsible for entering the result in the Squadi app. Open the Squadi app and find your match. Tap your referee card and select Timeline+. Enter each goal as it occurs during the match. After the final whistle, review the score and tap Submit to lock in the result.

If you enter a wrong score, email admin@virginiaunitedfc.com.au immediately. Once a result is submitted it can only be corrected by Football Queensland, and we'll need to submit a formal correction request on your behalf.

If you forget to enter a result, email admin@virginiaunitedfc.com.au the same day with the correct score and we'll update it before the deadline.

All referees are paid for their games. We follow the Football Queensland referee pay schedule each year. Payments are processed every Friday for the previous weekend's games. Make sure you have your bank details on file with admin before your first game day.

All VUFC referees are expected to know the official Football Queensland MiniRoos formats. A printed and laminated copy is available in the referee room every Saturday.

No offside in MiniRoos. After a goal, restart from kick-off at centre. Ball out at the end line is a goal kick. Ball out at the sideline is a throw-in. No heading for U11 and below. No scores are recorded for MiniRoos. No penalty kicks in MiniRoos.

You can download the official FQ MiniRoos Playing Formats document below.

Club Referee is where everyone starts. If you want to go further, Football Queensland supports a clear accreditation pathway.

Level 4 - Junior Match Official (JFMO). Entry-level FQ accreditation for junior match officials. This is the first step beyond Club Referee and opens you up to officiating a wider range of games.

Level 3 - Senior Match Official (SFMO). The senior pathway for referees wanting to develop further and take on more senior fixtures.

If you're interested in pursuing your Level 4 or Level 3, reach out to us and we'll point you in the right direction.

Q: How old do I need to be to referee?

A: We welcome referees aged 12 and over. Younger referees will be supported and mentored on the day.

Q: Do I need a referee shirt?

A: Ideally yes, but black shirt and black shorts are acceptable while you're getting started. Let Isabel know and we'll sort a shirt for you.

Q: What if I'm not available one week?

A: No problem. You only sign up for the weeks you're available. There's no obligation to be there every Saturday.

Q: How do I get paid?

A: Payments are processed every Friday for the previous week's games. Make sure you sign the payment sheet in the referee room after your last game.

Q: Who do I go to if there's a problem on the day?

A: Aaron, our referee coordinator, is on site every Saturday morning from 8am. For anything admin-related, contact us at admin@virginiaunitedfc.com.au

Q: What if I've never refereed before?

A: That's fine. Aaron will be on site to support you, and there's always experienced referees and club staff around. Work through the three Getting Started steps above and we'll take it from there.