To kick-start this season's development and education programme for women referees operating in the National Game, a one-off whole day event took place at St. George's Park last month. 

Over 80 women referees from across the country converged on the national football centre in Burton for a variety of activities starting with the morning session, delivered outside on the new coach education pitches.

Referee Ambassadors Lisa Rashid, Sian Massey, Lorraine Deschamps, Wendy Toms and Natalie Walker, supported by Dan Meeson and Dean Mohareb, delivered a series of workshops covering issues such as the managing of corner kicks, free kick management and assistant referee techniques. 

And the group were then given a guided tour of the fantastic facilities at St. George's Park before it was back into the main conference room where Deschamps offered a session on 'Managing The Occasion' which focused on the skills and techniques required to deal with both on and off the pitch aspects within women’s football. 

Rashid then ran a session on referee's body language in which advice and guidance was offered on how to use your body to enhance your decision making.

A good day was had by all, but more importantly a well constructed day which offered those referees in attendance an opportunity to learn and be inspired from some of the country's best referee educators involved in the development of women referees.