Ben Bowles Feb 2025 1

Match official Ben heading to Florida

A SUFFOLK match official is off to Florida next week for an annual tournament.

A SUFFOLK match official is off to Florida next week to take part in an annual tournament.

Ben Bowles, who is Suffolk FA Referee Development Officer, is one of eight members of The FA delegation who will fly out for the National Academy Championships next Thursday.

A total of 242 teams from 34 clubs across the USA will be taking part in the Youth tournament for U13-U19 year olds.

The Level 3 match officials, who are all members of The FA Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE) group, referee at Step 3 & 4 of the Non-League pyramid or as fourth officials at Step 2.

They have all been selected to take part in this inaugural development opportunity and will officiate U17, U18 & U19 fixtures in the first week and U15 & U16 matches in the second week.

Former FIFA and FA Premier League match official Steve Bennett and Ed Duckworth, who is FA Referee National Talent Manager, will be overseeing the 13-night trip.

Ben, who is the only representative from the Capital & South-East Region of CORE, said that alongside refereeing the group will take part in education and fitness sessions.

 Ben Bowles Feb 2025 2

Ben Bowles (above, centre) leads out the match officials before refereeing a match at Bury Town earlier this season. Main photograph: Ben Bowles in action at the Isuzu FA Vase Fourth Round tie between Walsham-le-Willows and Whitstable Town last month.

The 33-year-old said: “Since leaving my career within the Army, the last six months have been a big transition for myself and has been a huge learning curve personally, professionally and also in my refereeing.

“Going from officiating six times a season to refereeing six times a month has aided my development and performances on the field, having the honour of refereeing some of the high-profile games at Step 3 & 4 within Suffolk this season.

“I have been part of the FA CORE programme for the first time this season which has been a huge benefit, one of the biggest assets is being allocated a coach (EFL Referee Aaron Farmer) who has been key in aiding me in the first half of the season noting he has trodden the path I’m currently on.

“To have been invited onto the selection process and then be successful in representing the Capital & South Region is a huge privilege. To have the opportunity of two weeks’ coaching from a former FIFA Referee and current EFL referee is an exciting opportunity, and I hope this will further inspire our refereeing cohort to be the best they can be.”

If you are at least 14-years-old and interested in becoming a match official in Suffolk, please contact Suffolk FA Referee Development Officer Ben Bowles on 07890 587228 or via email at ben.bowles@suffolkfa.com

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