The Southeastern Football Officials Association, Inc. (SEFOA) has been a cornerstone of high school football officiating in Southeastern Virginia for over 75 years. Founded in 1947, our organization traces its roots back to the post-World War II era, when officials served games across Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk County (now Chesapeake), and Princess Anne County (now Virginia Beach).
During the late 1950s, the Peninsula-based officials split to form a separate association, and in 1969, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) was officially formed following the merger of the Virginia Interscholastic Association (which served local Black high schools) and the Virginia High School Literary and Athletic League. SEFOA played a key role in the development of officiating services for the rapidly expanding Southeastern Virginia region.
Today, SEFOA is recognized as one of the premier high school officiating organizations in Virginia, providing highly trained officials for VHSL schools, private schools, and the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools. We take pride in serving some of the most competitive and respected football programs in the state.
Our Mission
SEFOA is a non-profit organization dedicated to:
✔ Recruiting, training, and assigning football officials for middle school and high school games across the Southside Hampton Roads area.
✔ Ensuring excellence in officiating by teaching and applying the official rules of the game, as set forth by governing bodies like the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
✔ Promoting sportsmanship and integrity in football while supporting the development of athletes and the broader community.
While SEFOA officials receive a fee for their services, our primary focus is the ongoing education, training, and development of our officials to ensure the highest standards of officiating.
During the late 1950s, the Peninsula-based officials split to form a separate association, and in 1969, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) was officially formed following the merger of the Virginia Interscholastic Association (which served local Black high schools) and the Virginia High School Literary and Athletic League. SEFOA played a key role in the development of officiating services for the rapidly expanding Southeastern Virginia region.
Today, SEFOA is recognized as one of the premier high school officiating organizations in Virginia, providing highly trained officials for VHSL schools, private schools, and the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools. We take pride in serving some of the most competitive and respected football programs in the state.
Our Mission
SEFOA is a non-profit organization dedicated to:
✔ Recruiting, training, and assigning football officials for middle school and high school games across the Southside Hampton Roads area.
✔ Ensuring excellence in officiating by teaching and applying the official rules of the game, as set forth by governing bodies like the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
✔ Promoting sportsmanship and integrity in football while supporting the development of athletes and the broader community.
While SEFOA officials receive a fee for their services, our primary focus is the ongoing education, training, and development of our officials to ensure the highest standards of officiating.
ABOUT VHSL
The Virginia High School League is an alliance of Virginia's public and approved non-boarding, non-public high schools that promotes education, leadership, sportsmanship, character and citizenship for students by establishing and maintaining high standards for school activities and competitions.
The Virginia High School League is an alliance of Virginia's public and approved non-boarding, non-public high schools that promotes education, leadership, sportsmanship, character and citizenship for students by establishing and maintaining high standards for school activities and competitions.