Promotion tracking
The Promotion Dashboard keeps every FA requirement for your current pathway visible in one place — so you always know exactly where you stand and what you still need to achieve before the season ends.
What the dashboard tracks
Each metric updates automatically as you log matches and mark observations. You set the targets when you create your promotion — penalty.app does the counting.
Games as Referee (REF)
Total number of matches you officiated as the referee since your promotion start date.
Games as AR / Linesman
Total matches as assistant referee, counted separately from REF games.
Adult REF games
REF games in adult competitions — required on some pathways where juniors games count differently.
Observations received
Matches where an assessor or mentor observed you and the match is linked to your active promotion.
Average observation mark
Calculated from your best 4 marked observations. You need 4 scored observations for this to show.
Misconduct reports
Number of reports you have filed. Some pathways set a threshold — exceeding it can block promotion.
County FA nomination
Whether your County FA has confirmed your nomination for promotion, if required by your pathway.
The Promotion Dashboard
Each requirement has its own progress bar. Green means you're on track. The overall status updates the moment you add a match.
Misconduct reports
2 filed · threshold is 5
Setting up promotion tracking
Enable promotion in Settings
Go to Settings → Modules and enable the Promotion module. This makes the Promotion item appear in your navigation.
Create your promotion
In Settings → Promotions, tap Add promotion. Enter your current level (e.g. Level 7), target level (e.g. Level 6), the season (e.g. 2025/26), and your promotion start date. Then fill in the specific requirements your County FA has given you.
Mark it as active
Set the promotion as Active. Only one promotion can be active at a time — this is the one shown on your Promotion Dashboard and used for observation matching.
Log observations on individual matches
When you are observed, open that match and enable the Has observer toggle. Link it to your active promotion and enter the mark if you receive one. This is how observations and marks are counted on your dashboard.
Tips
Set your promotion start date accurately
Only matches from this date onwards count. If you set it too early or late, your game counts will be wrong. Check your County FA paperwork for the official season start.
Record your observer's mark immediately
After an observed match, edit the match record to add the observer and their mark while you remember it. The average mark needs at least 4 scored observations to calculate.
Use 'Exclude from promotion'
If your assessor tells you a particular match doesn't count (e.g. a futsal cup, or a match that was abandoned), toggle 'Exclude from promotion' on that match to keep your count accurate.
Check the dashboard regularly near season end
Progress bars make it obvious which requirements you might fall short on. If you need 2 more REF games with 3 weeks to go, you still have time to seek appointments.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up promotion tracking?
Go to Settings, scroll to the Promotion section, and create a new promotion. Enter your current level, target level, season, and the specific requirements for your pathway (e.g. 10 REF games, 4 AR games, 2 observations). Then mark it as your active promotion and it will appear on the Promotion Dashboard.
Which matches count towards my promotion?
All matches you log during the promotion season are counted automatically — as long as they are not marked as cancelled, and the match date falls on or after the promotion start date. You can also exclude individual matches from promotion tracking (for example, futsal or cup ties that your assessor has told you don't count) using the 'Exclude from promotion' toggle when editing a match.
How is the average observation mark calculated?
penalty.app takes your best 4 observed matches that have a mark recorded and averages them. You need at least 4 marked observations to get a calculated average. This follows the FA pathway where the best 4 marks are used, not all observations.
What happens when I meet all the requirements?
A 'Complete Promotion' button appears on the Promotion Dashboard. Tapping it marks the promotion as complete and clears the dashboard. You can then create a new promotion for the next level in Settings.
Can I track a County FA nomination?
Yes. If your promotion pathway requires a County FA nomination, enable the 'County FA nomination required' toggle in the promotion settings. The dashboard will show whether the nomination has been received, and you can mark it as received once confirmed.
Does promotion tracking work for all FA grades?
Yes — the promotion module works for any FA promotion pathway. You manually enter the requirements (REF games, AR games, observations, etc.) so it can match any county or national pathway regardless of grade.