Referee Centre of Excellence

Referees Centre of Excellence
We have been running a referees centre of excellence for the past 7 season's which works in tandem to our excellence programme. It is designed to nurture and develop the next generation of referees in a safe and supportive environment. Under the stewardship of referee co-ordinator Tom Blanch, it has been a very successful partnership, which looks to strengthen for the start of the 08-09 season. This season has seen the launch of the Football Associations Respect Campaign which is being fully supported at Cheltenham Town FC This was the No.1 priority emerging from the biggest opinion survey to date of grassroots football in England. It was carried out in late 2007 and directly informed The FA's National Game Strategy, published in March 2008. We hope that Respect will ensure a safe, positive environment for everyone to enjoy football. From the start it will have an impact on the following areas: Referee recruitment and retention: By tackling abuse towards match officials, we hope to reduce the stream of referees understandably leaving the game. Participation within youth football: Abuse and pressure from the sidelines needs to stop if we are to ensure young children enjoy, stay and progress in the game. Coaching and player development: An encouraging and player-centred approach is vital if we are to improve coaching standards - particularly for the key 5-11 age-group. It's simple: better coaches produce better players. Safeguarding children: Everyone in football has a duty of care towards children - ensuring they are able to play football in a safe, enjoyable environment free of abuse, bullying and discrimination. Improving behaviour is a whole-game issue and the 2008-09 season will see the Respect programme introduced at professional and grassroots levels. To do this, The FA is actively working with the following organisations: The Premier League The Football League The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) The League Managers' Association (LMA) Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) All County FAs

Referees Centre of Excellence

We have been running a referees centre of excellence for the past 7 season's which works in tandem to our excellence programme. It is designed to nurture and develop the next generation of referees in a safe and supportive environment.

Under the stewardship of referee co-ordinator Tom Blanch, it has been a very successful partnership, which looks to strengthen for the start of the 08-09 season.

This season has seen the launch of the Football Associations Respect Campaign which is being fully supported at Cheltenham Town FC

This was the No.1 priority emerging from the biggest opinion survey to date of grassroots football in England. It was carried out in late 2007 and directly informed The FA's National Game Strategy, published in March 2008.

We hope that Respect will ensure a safe, positive environment for everyone to enjoy football. From the start it will have an impact on the following areas:

Referee recruitment and retention: By tackling abuse towards match officials, we hope to reduce the stream of referees understandably leaving the game.

Participation within youth football: Abuse and pressure from the sidelines needs to stop if we are to ensure young children enjoy, stay and progress in the game.

Coaching and player development: An encouraging and player-centred approach is vital if we are to improve coaching standards - particularly for the key 5-11 age-group. It's simple: better coaches produce better players.

Safeguarding children: Everyone in football has a duty of care towards children - ensuring they are able to play football in a safe, enjoyable environment free of abuse, bullying and discrimination.

Improving behaviour is a whole-game issue and the 2008-09 season will see the Respect programme introduced at professional and grassroots levels.

To do this, The FA is actively working with the following organisations:

The Premier League
The Football League
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)
The League Managers' Association (LMA)
Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO)
All County FAs