During a meeting between Suffolk County Football Association and Ipswich Town Football Club, where the management of Referees for Academy matches was being discussed, it became apparent to both parties that these matches provide a real opportunity for a structured programme for the ongoing development of Youth Referees (Level 8). Further discussion demonstrated that by working with Ipswich Town Football Club and using the weekly Academy matches and other opportunities, the development needs of Youth Referees could be accommodated.
Currently games are played at Ipswich Town Football Club Training Ground on a Sunday morning, and the Suffolk County Football Association Referees’ Secretary appoints the referees. In previous seasons some of the appointed Referees had been working with mentors/coaches, but this was an ad hoc arrangement that did not cover all Youth Referees showing potential. Likewise there is currently no selection process within the County to identify Referees showing potential and suitability for a development programme.
At the Referees’ Committee meeting on the 7th July 2007 the Secretary presented a discussion paper entitled “Junior Referees’ Academy.”
The current thinking is to select a group of approximately fifteen Youth Referees (on average there is a need for seven each Sunday) who would be invited to join the Youth Referee Academy. There would be an initial meeting when the Academy’s workings, the concept of coaching and the requirements of the individuals would be discussed.
In addition Suffolk County Football Association would provide a Senior Referee on site each Sunday to welcome, coach, deal with any issues and just be there if required. To facilitate this it is considered that a minimum of three people would be required.
An important factor for the success of the Academy is the commitment of the Youth Referee. The commitment would go beyond regular Sunday appointments and include attending other Academy events, e.g. training sessions and other general refereeing activities such as attendance at RA meetings.
It has been proposed by Trevor Pollard, and agreed by those at the meeting, that there would be four areas to focus on:
• PRE-MATCH – Arrivals, Protocols, Pitch Inspection, Match Instructions.
• COACHING DURING THE GAME – Ipswich Town Football Club welcomed this approach and could see no reason why on the odd occasion the match could not be stopped and guidance given to the Referee by the coach.
• POST MATCH – This would be for the coach to provide feedback on individual strengths and weaknesses. Ipswich Town Football Club suggested that on occasions the club coaches could go with the referee coach to provide a player’s perspective. It was agreed by all that this would not be a time to criticise the Referee or their performance. However, encouragement and praise would be encouraged.
• EXPERIENCE THE BIG TIME – On occasions, and with the match referee’s and Ipswich Town Football Club’s agreement, the Youth Referee and an experienced coach (ideally Trevor Pollard) would be invited to a match at Portman Road and during the match be within or adjacent to the Technical Area to experience what goes on at the highest level, and hopefully fuel their enthusiasm for continued development. Again, this idea was endorsed by Ipswich Town Football Club.
The Discussion paper was accepted and the Academy is already underway with Simon Long and Alan Dale helping Trevor Pollard and myself. Each week the referees and assistant referees are given feedback during the game and a brief written report is sent to them.
Referees are being appointed so if you would like to have an opportunity please let me know as the referees showing potential and commitment will be invited to join the Academy after Christmas.
Finally, the Youth Academy will not be seen as a stand alone initiative as helping/coaching/mentoring referees is applicable to all referees irrespective of level and experience. In fact over the coming months a County wide mentoring scheme will be launched for referees and this will become the next phase of the Youth Referees’ development.