Refereeing

The EPSB operates a leading qualification programme for aspiring snooker referees in England which has been developed in collaboration with snooker’s world governing body the WPBSA and our sport’s leading officials.

The programme is administered by the WPBSA (as adopted by the EPSB as it’s recognised training scheme) and has received endorsement from leading awarding body 1st4sport Qualifications.

Courses are delivered by an expert team which includes WPBSA Referee Course Coordinator Glen Sullivan-Bissett, alongside WPBSA Head of Coaching and Training Development Chris Lovell. Leading referee Jan Verhaas is a special advisor to the programme, with Ben Williams also a main course tutor.

WPBSA Class 3 Course

The WPBSA Class 3 Referee course is aimed at prospective new referees who wish to gain their first formal qualification in our sport.

Delegates will be required to meet set pre-course eligibility criteria prior to being allowed on the course, including providing a basic disclosure criminal record check (£21.50).

The course includes:

• Referee training including rules training, technical and practical skills
• Online safeguarding and child protection training
• Post training refereeing – gaining and documenting first-hand experience
• Performance review and support by a designated mentor (for fixed number of sessions/time)

Training is delivered through a combination of online and face to face delivery. Delegates will gain match experience supported by mentoring from qualified referees. Part of the final assessment will be a match at a WPBSA recognised event.

The cost of the course is £199 inc VAT.

Upcoming Course Dates

The WPBSA Class 3 Referee course comprises two parts, both of which are included within the course fee. Upcoming dates include:

Part 1 – Online Course Induction and Safeguarding & Protecting Children (SPC)

• Wednesday 1 July 2026 (12:30pm-3:30pm) – Online
• Wednesday 1 July 2026 (5:30pm-8:30pm) – Online
• Wednesday 8 July 2026 (5:30pm-8:30pm) – Online

Part 2 – Face-to-Face Training

• Friday 18th September 2026 – The Northern Snooker Centre

Both parts of the course must be attended to achieve qualification.

Please note that for 2026, first refusal will be offered to those who have previously expressed an interest in becoming a referee with us. Should places be available following by March 2026, instructions on how to apply will be published on this page.

For future courses, places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis once dates have been advertised.

Become an EPSB Tournament Director

In 2023 the EPSB launched a new course to become a tournament director, open to all referees qualified under the current training scheme. For more information, please contact us.