FOOTBALL: Referee levels in Gloucestershire are on the up

GLOUCESTERSHIRE is bucking the national trend when it comes to referee participation, to the “delight” of the county football association’s former Premier League official Steve Tanner.

While the months between the start of the 2013-14 season and conclusion of the 2014-15 campaign saw a decrease of 11.6 per cent in refereeing numbers across the country, the county body (GFA) reported a 14.2 per cent increase in male refs and a whopping 108.3 per cent rise in female refs over the same period based on the national picture.

Such are the levels of interest among would-be matchday officials in Gloucestershire that around 100 males and females of all ages and backgrounds are eagerly awaiting the call to join one of numerous FA-directed courses planned at various centres across the county starting this September.

The FA recently completed work to pilot the new course in tandem with its county associations, including the GFA which has been selected to host the tutor training camp on August 9, when instructors from across the country will join forces to learn best practice in delivering the sessions.

Of his county’s success story, GFA referee development officer Tanner enthused: “Certainly the 2014-15 season was one of the best periods ever for refereeing levels in Gloucestershire, something we’re all particularly pleased and proud about because a lot of hard work goes into trying to ensure as many fixtures as possible, be it involving adults or juniors, have a proper referee and that they are in the best possible shape to oversee them.

“People have obviously taken note of the success we are having enticing more referees and assistant refs into the Gloucestershire game, because we passed the 100 mark for the latest season when it came to our officials being appointed to prestigious national competitions such as the FA Cup, Vase, Trophy, Women’s Cup and Sunday Cup.

“Most notably, Alex Hardman was appointed as assistant referee to the Women’s Super League Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City (at Wycombe’s Adams Park) while Tim Wood ran the line for both legs of the FA Youth Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea.

“The strides we have made over the past two seasons show no sign of abating either as we already have 450 male and female referees registered for the new season, a fantastic number given it’s only seven weeks or so since the registration period began.”

Tanner revealed that male referee numbers in the county increased last term to 754 from 660 in 2013-14, while there were 36 female refs in action compared with 25 the previous year.

Season 2014-15 saw 88 per cent of youth league games covered by a qualified and registered match official, and a commendable 90 per cent of adult games had a registered ref in the middle.

During the same campaign, the GFA held seven referee courses involving 225 candidates, as well as two league-specific sessions designed to combat shortages. Additionally, the county body secured £2,500 of funding from the Football Association to help support the North Gloucestershire League in a quest to ensure that within a two-year period, the league will have 100 per cent of its matches covered by a registered and qualified match official. Tanner admitted there had been challenges to overcome along the way too.

“A basic referee course was organised specifically for the Cirencester and District League but unfortunately, despite promises being made by its league members, the course was very poorly supported,” he explained.

“A contingency plan was put into place and 15 candidates eventually attended, although they were not candidates local to Cirencester. The candidates concerned were eventually allocated matches in the Cheltenham area.

“Concern was also stressed by the Cheltenham Youth League that the number of match officials had declined over the course of the season, so a basic referee course was organised specifically to tackle that and surrounding leagues within Cheltenham.

“It is pleasing to report that 25 candidates attended and successfully passed the course, and are now in the process of completing their six matches within this and surrounding leagues.

“The GFA, to its credit, is now in a position where we have a current and stable workforce offering a true and accurate record of the number of qualified and registered match officials, and of course referee courses will continue to be directed and delivered to those areas where a shortage is evident.”

The county association also reported a healthy rise in its referees being granted promotion, 45 of them stepping up at various levels, seven more than in 2013-14, while an application for funding to help support a project to achieve greater representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic referees (BAME) successfully reaped £2,000 in FA backing. A further £250 was obtained by the GFA to help support new officials who complete the referee course.

Tanner, meanwhile, declared the recent GFA RA (Referees Association)/FA presentation evening a “huge success”. The occasion was free to all 84 GFA/RA members present to enjoy the company of ex-FIFA and Premier League ref Dermot Gallagher.

Hoping to join the Sky Sports pundit and current PGMOL match assessor on the exciting road to refereeing heights in years to come are fast-emerging local officials Jack Clench and Spencer McNaught, who have been picked by the FA to represent GFA as part of a two-year Young Referee Development Programme.

“They will be followed right through their careers by the national FA and it is quite an honour to be selected,” Tanner said.

Anyone wishing to know more about becoming a referee in the county and courses available can contact Steve Tanner at steve.tanner@gloucestershirefa.com or call him on 01454 615888.