FA group formed to help female referees

The Female Referee Development Group was formed in order to help aid the progression and development of female referees within the county.

It aims to promote the various skills required to referee at a higher level, such as correspondence, fitness, player management and authority, while also giving young referees the opportunity to network and share experiences with other female officials.

Run by Referee Development Officer (RDO) Jamie James and Girls and Women's FDO Eve Bailey, the group recently held it's very first meeting at the Shropshire FA Offices, Shrewsbury.

The meeting welcomed guest speaker, Lisa Rashid, FIFA Assistant Referee and Football League Assistant Referee, who spoke to members of the group about her background and achievements in the sport.

Group member Anna Overton, attended the talk lead by Rashid: "I found the talk with Lisa very inspiring," she said.

"She told us all about her starting out as a referee and then explained her troubles and how she dealt with them.

"I was really excited to meet her and it was an amazing experience that Jamie and the Shropshire FA put on for us."

The meetings cover a wide range of topics, include talks from guest speakers and are open to any female referees.

Overton, 15, from Bridgnorth got involved with the group after being advised by James.

"I was advised to join the group for support and advice along with all the other females within the county," she said. Before this season there were only two development groups that you could go into after completing the basic referee course, but this year the Shropshire FA and Jamie added a female only group, which was a brilliant idea."

Referees are invited to join the group as a registered referee or by attending a referee course.

Overton added: "It helps with confidence and self-esteem.

"It has helped having guest speakers and senior referees talking to the group, they have all advised not to let being female hold us back and we are in control.

"It has also helped me to realise that I am not alone, even when from time to time I get targeted for being female.

"I am able to bring concerns and request support from the group and there's always someone who has the answer, or who can give their experience on how they have dealt with a similar situation."

Overton says she would encourage any young female referees to get involved with the group., adding: "We are all in the same boat and lots of ladies are at a similar level," she added.

"Jamie is very helpful and supportive, he always responds to his emails quickly.

"If you can't get in contact with him there's always someone in the group that can help with advice and support.

"We are like one big family and we all look out for each other, which is one of the best things about it."

Overton completed a Basic Referee Course with the FA last year as well as taking part in the FA's Football Futures Programme.

"I have always been influenced by my family's sporting footsteps," Overton added.

"I have always been a massive lover of football but opportunities were limited within my community so I naturally went to other sports. It was last May when I first enrolled on the Football Futures programme."

The Football Futures Programme is aimed at young people aged 14 to 19, who have an interest in football leadership and volunteering. Players can then get involved with a range of football activities, such as assisting with coaching at a team, at any school, college or university attached to the FA.

The programme enables players to gain valuable experience whilst receiving support to gain further football qualifications.

Having completed her course last October, Overton has refereed matches at AFC Bridgnorth Spartans in Shropshire.

"I have refereed ages seven, eight, 11, 12 and 13 and I have run the Line for several other teams including AFC Bridgnorth Spartans Under 18's," she explained.

"I was also chosen to referee at the Barclays Premier League Under 9's tournament held at Lilleshall last year."

"Ultimately, I am one of the younger referees but I look forward to going for promotion once I am 16."

For further information on the Female Referee Development Group and Football Futures visit www.shropshirefa.com