Medical identity cards for referees
SUFFOLK FA have launched an important new addition to the match-day kit of their referees.
“If something happens to a referee, who has their medical information? If it was a player, the manager or coach will do – but nobody does for the referee.”
It was from this conversation that resulted in Suffolk FA producing a Medical ID card ‘For Referees.’
The small ID card can be handwritten on and has space for an Emergency Contact Name and Number, Referee Date of Birth and Any Medical Conditions or Allergies.
This completed card can then be carried inside the referee wallet, alongside the Sin Bin card, just in case it was ever needed.
Suffolk FA Senior Referee Development Officer Alan Dale said: “While we hope that the ID cards are never needed, there are times where medical information relating to the referee and an emergency contact may be very important.
“The welfare of our referees is our biggest priority and we hope that by making these cards available to referees to carry with them on match day, it will ensure that if in the event it was ever required, this crucial information was available quickly.”
All referees in Suffolk who are aged 18 or under have been posted a Medical ID card via their Parent/Guardian. Additional cards for all other referees will be available from Referees’ Association branches or available to collect for free from Suffolk FA headquarters in Stowmarket.
The use of the Medical ID card is completely voluntary. The information contained is not being requested by Suffolk FA and will not be stored in any other place.