8 EHF Referee Education (“Career Ladder”) Level 1 (2-way entry system for National Federation applicants based on their age and experience) Option 1: EHF Young Referee Programme Option 2: EHF Referee Candidate Definition: Level 1 provides a framework for the further development of refereeing skills. It is based on the necessity to select young, talented or experienced referees from National Federations and educate them for European level refereeing. Target Group Level 1 is designed for young, talented or experienced referees, who are actively involved in refereeing on a national level. Entry Age: 20 years (female) and 22 years (male) for National Federation applicants to the EHF Young Referee Programme; up to 35 years (max. age) for other National Federation applicants. EHF Young Referee Programme (option 1) Each National Federation can apply at the EHF for a maximum of 2 EHF Young Referee couples per season (In case of 2 couples, one has to be female!). No referee can stay in the programme for more than three years, unless she/he possesses a “Referee for the Future” Badge. Referees awarded with the “Referee for the Future” Badge are EHF Referee Candidates and can stay in the programme for three years. This way, “Level 1 Referees” can be retained through additional registrations if they don’t get promoted to Level 2 immediately. EHF Nominated Young Referees (with and without badge) are confined to Young Referee Programme activities only, such as the European Open, ISF Games and Challenge Trophy, etc. EHF Referee Candidates (option 2) These are either referees coming out of the EHF Young Referee Programme with the “Referee for the Future Badge” or EHF Referee Candidates directly applied for by their National Federations. Each National Federation can apply for a maximum of 2 couples per season. Application/Registration/Administration application by the National Federation registration by the EHF administration/annual renewal of the status, carried-out by the EHF Promotion/ Qualification Promotion from Level 1 to Level 2 can only take place after an initiative of the National Federation (application for level 2) or after the successful completion of an EHF Referee Candidates’ Course with 4 to 6 referee candidate couples, carried-out by the EHF.