Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• inspecting the pitch and markings
• making sure equipment like goalposts and nets are safely set up
• checking you have everything you need for the game, like stopwatches, cards and radio communications (at top levels)
• meeting with team managers
• briefing your assistants on which signals to use and what to do in particular situations, like if there’s a confrontation on the pitch

During a game, you’ll:

• follow the play and make decisions
• communicate with your assistants to help with rulings
• control the behaviour of the teams on the pitch, and their coaching staff on the sidelines

You may need to wear a uniform.

You could work at a college, at a sports arena or at a university.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.

With experience, you could train to become a referee training instructor, match assessor or referee development officer with a County FA.

You could also use your knowledge and experience to move into related areas, like sports development in the community.