The Ipswich Way: Our Mission
The main role of the Referee is to keep the game moving fluently, limit stoppages, and assist players with all match restarts. Remember: These are kids, this is a game, and you are here to help them learn.
Zero Tolerance
If you encounter and abuse from a coach, player or spectator STOP THE GAME and find a ground offical in a yellow vest.
Playing Format and Rule
To view a copy, please click here
Referee Responsibilities
Arrival & Sign-In
Time: Arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before kick-off.
Sign-In: Report to the Club House to sign in.
Sign-Out: You must sign out after your final game of the day.
Pre-Match Checks
Field Safety: Check nets for holes and ensure goals are safely and correctly positioned.
Equipment: Ensure you have your whistle, notepad, and correctly inflated match balls.
Ball Requirements:
Calves: 1 match ball (Size 3).
MiniRoos: 2 match balls per field (Size 3 or 4).
Full Size Field: 3 match balls (size 5).
During the Match
Start of Play: Stand in the middle of the field with the match ball. Blow your whistle once 2 minutes prior to kick-off to alert teams.
Player Count: Verify the correct number of players are on the field.
Mentorship: Be enthusiastic and approachable. Teach and guide the players as most are still learning the rules.
Scoring: Keep an accurate record of the score throughout the match.
Post-Match
Reporting: Hand in your score card to the Club House immediately.
Incident Reports: Report any issues or misconduct encountered during the game.
Registration & Scheduling
- The club will be using the app called Spond to communicate.
Volunteer Registration: All referees must be registered on the official Ipswich FC website as a volunteer.
Weekly Workflow:
Monday: Draw is released. Submit your availability/requested games.
Wednesday: Official allocations are published.
Cancellations: If you are sick or cannot attend an allocated game, you must notify the club via Spond immediately.
Payment Information
To maintain professional financial standards, Ipswich FC operates a cashless payment system.
Method: All payments are made via electronic transfer to your nominated bank account.
Requirement: Payments are only processed once score cards are returned and verified.
Reporting Requirements:
U6 to U12: Final score only.
U13 and Above: Final score, time of goals, jersey numbers, and a detailed report of any Yellow/Red cards (Time, Jersey #, and Reason).
Dress Code & Equipment
Mandatory Uniform
To maintain a professional appearance at all times, the following dress code applies:
- Primary Kit: Official Ipswich FC Club Referee Polo.
- Lower Body: Club shorts or socks are preferred.
- Weather: During cold weather, Club Trackpants are permitted in place of shorts.
- Clash Rule: In the event of a colour clash with a team, a Club Bib or the Black Training Jersey must be worn to ensure you are easily identifiable.
Club-Provided Gear
The club aims to support our referees with the necessary tools to succeed. Registered referees can collect:
- Ipswich FC Referee Polo * Essential Match Day Kit: The club maintains a stock of whistles, pens, and notepads for referee use.
⚠️ Equipment Disclaimer
Please note that while we strive to fully equip every official, the club has limited stock of certain items. Equipment is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do our absolute best to provide you with everything needed, but we encourage referees to bring their own whistle and pen as a backup where possible.
