Tennis referees are responsible for looking after all players at a competition and making sure everyone is following the rules of the game. They manage scheduling, handle player appeals against umpire decisions, and make final rulings on any matters that cannot be resolved courtside. In effect, they are the highest authority on site during a tournament.

To become a referee, you must complete a two-day course as well as a mentored experience at a competition in between. Before you can apply for your course, you should make sure that:

• You have completed the Court Supervisor course or Competition Organiser course or have relevant experience in organising competitions.
• You have completed the pre-course reading (which will be sent ahead of the course).

The course will cover:

• Fair Play
• Rules of tennis
• Code of conduct
• Refereeing duties
• Role of the court supervisor
• Handling situations, such as on-court disputes
• Tournament organisation
• Tournament experience

To qualify as an R5 Referee, you will need to pass an exam on day two and then apply for your LTA Official Licence. After getting your Official Licence, you’ll be able to referee and organise Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, LTA Youth Team Challenge and Matchplay events - and potentially Grade 4 at the discretion of the LTA Competitions Team.