How to take the first step on the Volleyball England Beach Volleyball Referee Development Pathway. 

Click here to book onto a course

Grade 3 Beach

The Grade 3 Beach Referee Award is the entry-level certification for beach volleyball referees. You can become a beach volleyball referee either by starting directly on the beach referee pathway or adding to your indoor referee qualification. 

This blended learning course features self study, an online classroom, a rules of the game exam, and a one-day practical refereeing session at an event, where you will be observed and recieve developmental feedback from a referee developer. 

  

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

Prepare for a match

• Identify, check and report risks.
• Know the importance of arriving on time and being appropriately dressed.
• Effectively prepare to officiate. 
• Assess and ensure a safe competition environment in collaboration with event managers. 

Administer a match 

• Effectively start and end a match.
• Consistently apply the basic rules, and event regulations. 
• Maintain control through the match and show impartiality to both teams.
• Utilise appropriate basic interpersonal communication skills.
• Adopt styles of officiating to reflect the level of competition. 

Scoring and line judging 

• Fill in an international scoresheet.
• Recognise the basic signals and positioning required on court for Line Judges.

Interpersonal Ability

• Demonstrate the values and ethical behaviour expected of Volleyball England officials. 
• Demonstrate consistency and impartiality when dealing with players.
• Effectively communicate with event officials, court staff, and coaches. 

Self-Reflection

• Seek feedback on your performance.
• Reflect upon your performance with your view to improve. 

Course structure 

Complete: pre course reading and research	You must know the Official Beach Volleyball Rules (2025-2028) and be familiar with the FIVB refereeing guidelines and instructions and FIVB Beach Volleyball Casebook.
Attend: online classroom	Led by the course tutor, the session includes scenarios to check your knowledge and interpretation of Beach Volleyball rules, and how you prepare for and administer a match. It will also cover interpersonal skills, including expected communication and behaviour (120 minutes).
Complete: online assessment	You need to pass an online rules of game test. This is an open book, multiple choice format (70 minutes).
Attend: practical session	This one day practical session includes officiating at a beach volleyball competition. You will get the support of a referee developer, who will help you review your performance, provide feedback and help you identify appropriate training and development (8 hours).

Eligibility 

Learners must: 

• Be at least 16 years of age on the day of the course.
• Be able to communicate effectively in English, including listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

What do I need for the course?

• Access to a laptop/tablet to complete the pre course quizzes, online classroom and online assessment. 
• A whistle.
• A pen and notebook or similar notetaking technology. 
• Food and refreshments for the practical session. 

What does the Grade 3 Beach Referee Award allow me to do?

This qualification opens up opportunities to officiate at various levels of beach volleyball competitions such as UKBT 1 and 2* events, Intra Club Competitions (e.g. Beach Volleyball Development Centres), Local, Regional and Junior Age Group Competitions.

Grade 3 Beach Referees are not eligible for Volleyball England appointments. 

Course fees 

From 1st April 2026, the cost of the course is £82 (plus a service fee of 2.8% + 25p). 

Please ensure that you have read the Volleyball England Education Course Terms and Conditions prior to booking onto the course. 

How to book

Grade 3 Beach Referee Award courses are organised on a demand basis. Click here to see the courses that are currently available to book and select Grade 3 Beach Referee Course from the event group drop down. 

If there are no courses listed, please check back at a later date. Once new courses are added they will be advertised on the Volleyball England social media and news channels. 

If you require help with booking onto a course, please see the step by step guide here before emailing or calling the Volleyball England Hub Team on 01509 974700. 

Next steps 

After passing the Grade 3 Beach Volleyball Referee Course, you are encouraged to gain practical refereeing experience in line with the Volleyball England Referee Development Pathway and the desired refereeing level for Grade 3 Referees. 

You may decide that you are happy to remain at Grade 3. If so, you can find out how to maintain your grade by clicking here. 

If you would like to progress towards Grade 2, you can learn more about the requirements and development opportunities by clicking here. 

As a qualified referee, you are encouraged to explore the wider learning and development opportunities available to registered referees.

Full information about the Volleyball England Referee Development Pathway can be found here.