Respect for referees in Somerset

The Somerset FA have reported that the Respect programme is being very well received by the referees in the county, with a large proportion of their match officials having now attended a Respect workshop.

These workshops aim to deliver the Respect message specifically to referees, outlining what it means for them and the roles and responsibilities they have in incorporating it into the game. They are being run by the Referee Development Officers and training workforces across the country.

These workshops were introduced in line with the launch of The FA Respect Programme at the start of the season which aims to improve behaviour both on the pitch and the sidelines and to deal with the abuse of referees by making it unacceptable and taking action against those who commit it. This is an ongoing programme rather than a one-off initiative. Every referee who attends a workshop receives The FA's 'Respect Guide for Referees' as well as a specially designed armband to wear with their kit.

Of the 488 referees currently active in Somerset, Keith Buller, the county's Referee Development Officer, is pleased to report that 381 have now attended a Respect workshop. Roger Vaughan, the Regional Referees Manager for the South West, went along to two of the five workshops held in Radstock and Bridgwater which averaged 80 attendees each. Keith anticipates that at least a further 70 referees will sign up to one of two more workshops scheduled to take place in the summer.

This highly positive take-up indicates that referees are very much buying into the Respect programme and, like the majority of people, are keen to see it work and prove a success.