Are you a current or former referee, referee coach or mentor? Are you committed to supporting women & girls grassroots referees?

In order to further support approximately 2,000 women & girls grassroots referees, The FA is pleased to announce that it will be shortly introducing eight Women & Girls Regional Referee Support Centres (RRSC) across the country and are seeking applicants for the position of  ‘Women & Girls Regional Support Lead’ (RSL). 

The aim of each RRSC and RSL will be to provide a regional point of contact for any female referee wanting support or wishing to discuss the opportunities and progression through the women’s refereeing pyramid.

About The Role

Refereeing can be challenging and an inability or unwillingness to overcome those challenges can lead to someone deciding to give up. We know, however, that with the appropriate support, referees are likely to remain active beyond their first 12 months of refereeing. Supporting a new referee is one of the most crucial factors in developing, sustaining and increasing participation. 

To ensure an individual remains in the game The Football Association are committed to offering support which will fulfil several different objectives, covering the technical, tactical, physical and mental aspects demanded by our game.

The Aim Of The Regional Support Lead (RSL)

Each RSL will preferably be a current referee, ex-referee or a senior member of a County Football Association.

Each RSL will lead on their dedicated RRSC and will have a detailed knowledge of processes and practices within refereeing, and will be able to build relationships, give advice and guidance, have constructive conversations over the phone, group chats, social media etc., and if needs be, face-to-face. Most importantly, each will have experience of providing ‘ideas for consideration’ rather than direction, in addition to the support offered through the County Football Association. The RSL is not a Referee Development Officer or line manager, and they are not there to replace the work that is already happening within County Football. 

The work of an RSL is to assist and guide the referee with the quality of their thinking about their personal self-development, which will help them learn for themselves. The RSLs will be more experienced than the referee. They may take on many roles: being a sounding board, helping build networks and a lot of the time simply being there to listen. The role is mostly a remote supporting role but one that offers the referee bespoke support.

Key Attributes Of An RSL

Each RSL will need to be adaptable. They are not there to push an individual but more about providing support and nurturing. Their focus is on building that relationship and having a good rapport either with an individual or with a group. Each RSL will be able to communicate and be an excellent listener and can question, explain, offer feedback and summarise. This role should not be complicated and is designed to offer any women referee the opportunity to engage with someone who is understanding, engaged, experienced and above everything else; human.
  
For more information about the role, please CLICK HERE

To download the application form, please CLICK HERE

Please return the completed form to Stephen.tanner@TheFA.com by 5pm on Monday 29 March 2021.