Let's hear your thoughts

Mindful of the problems all counties, and indeed all countries, face recruiting and retaining referees, The FA Referees Committee recently approved my proposal to establish a Task Force to look into this important area of the game.

The Referees Commitee is composed of:-

David Elleray, Vice Chairman, FA Referees Committee, UEFA Referees Committee, RAE Hon. President

Ray Lewis, Chairman, FA Referees Committee, Chairman, Surrey CFA

Arthur Smith, FA Referees Committee, RA/RAE Operations Officer

Peter Jackson, FA Referees Committee, Chairman Sheffield & Hallam FA Referees Committee

Neale Barry, FA Head of Senior Referee Development

Ian Blanchard, FA Head of National Referee Development

Paul Morrison, CEO Devon County FA

David Burgess, CEO Lancashire County FA

Martin Head, County Secretary Suffolk County FA

We had our first meeting last week and I was delighted with the response from the members to my challenge that we should be bold and positive in our thoughts (‘blue sky’ or ‘out of the box’ thinking in modern jargon!).

We are very keen to do something concrete and to take advantage of a number of timely other initiatives, not least the introduction of Referee Development Officers and the Brian Barwick led ‘respect’ campaign.

The Task Force hopes to produce a number of ideas and recommendations which can be used at all levels of the game and we would really welcome your personal and your county’s input at this early stage.

The prime role of the task force will be to:-

- Establish current and recent trends in referee numbers, recruitment and retention.

- Assess the impact on referee recruitment and retention of a variety of factors. These include CRB and CPT requirements, lifestyle changes, growth of midweek small sided football and televised football.

- Identify ways in which recruitment can be increased.

- Identify ways in which retention can be improved.

- Within these broad criteria the Task Force will focus on different geographical areas, young referees, female referees, referees from ethnic backgrounds and former professional players.

- To establish a clear picture and determine possible future strategies, the Task Force will take account of the views of current referees at all levels.

- We all know the problems, so what we would really like to hear from you are possible solutions, strategies, changes or anything which you think might help recruit more officials and help keep more of those we already have.

Please send all thoughts, ideas and suggestions to: Ian Blanchard, Head of National Referee Development, The FA, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or e-mail Ian.Blanchard@TheFA.com

Very many thanks in advance for your help in this key initiative.

David Elleray