Who can apply?
You do not need to have any previous experience or sports officiating qualifications to apply for the Official Sports London Bursary.
You are eligible to apply for an Official Sports London Bursary if:
- You are aged over 16
- You live in one of the 33 Boroughs of London
- You want to complete an officiating qualification in one of our 21 listed sports or
- You have already completed an eligible course from one of our 21 listed sports, and would like to apply for funding retrospectively. Please call 020 7749 9173 to confirm you are eligible for retrospective funding. You will need to be able to provide confirmation that you have completed and paid for your course
- You agree to officiate voluntarily for at least 15 hours after you qualify
- You have (or are prepared to make) links with a sports club, league of other sporting organisation where you will officiate after you qualify*
- You are prepared to make a financial contribution to the costs associated with completing your officiating course and 15 hours of officiating**
- You can provide us with the details of someone from a sports team, club or other sporting organisation who will provide us with a reference for you in support of your application***
*If you do not have links with any sports clubs or organisations where you could officiate after your qualification, the Official Sports London Team or your National Governing Body may be able to help.
** The Official Sports London bursary can provide funding for up to 80% of the costs associated with completing your qualification. You must be prepared to pay for the remaining 20%
*** If you are unable to think of someone from a sports team, club or organisation, we may be able to help you gain a reference from your Local Authority Sports Development team.
If you can answer yes to all of the above, make sure you register your interest to receive an Application Pack.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for the programme, please call 020 7749 9173 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Fast Track Funding
Fast Track funding is available to existing sports officials that already have high-level qualifications, and are training to became international or elite level officials. To be eligible for Fast Track funding you must be nominated by your NGB, and you must fulfill all of the conditions above.
