All levels of the game are benefiting from checks being carried out nationally by The FA Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Unit on people with access to children in football – with referees in the Blackpool area already earning praise for their dedication.

Elizabeth Hubbard, who is The FA CRB Unit Manager, says that she is delighted to see match officials in the area rally behind the cause.

“We held a successful evening at Lytham St Anne’s YMCA when a third of those in the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre District Referees Association completed the CRB process.”

“The Lancashire FA has now trained 25 people to verify the documents of local officials which shows a great support for The FA CRB process. These verifiers will be in attendance every time the Association meets, and it means that local referees need only pop along to their regular weekly meetings to get their forms checked and documents verified,” she says.

“I was impressed by the fact that a number of young referees attended, which seems a clear indication that the future of the game is in safe hands. One remarked to me how quick and easy the whole process was, and without doubt Lancashire is a model for the whole country.”

The FA currently runs two different child protection learning programmes. These have already seen nearly 100,000 people complete child protection training.

“Referees play a vital role in making sure best practice happens in football,” Elizabeth points out. “The key role officials play cannot be overestimated, and we’ve been working for some time on a programme that means all officials will complete some form of child protection training.”

“All new referees in England must complete The FA’s Child protection and best practice workshop, once they complete 10 matches and become active. The only exception for this is for officials under the age of 18 who need to complete The FA’s distance learning course.”

“It’s important for officials to know that The FA’s child protection training is mandatory. But we think it is something officials should want to do anyway, to make them more aware of what’s appropriate to safeguard children – and themselves,” she adds.

Key figures in promoting The FA’s CRB checks are Kevin and Nicola Wells – parents of murdered schoolgirl Holly Wells from Soham.

The pair were recently appointed special Ambassadors for The FA’s work on child protection, and have pledged their full backing for the CRB checks.

Kevin, who is a qualified referee and junior coach, has spelt out his commitment to safeguarding children and his determination to helping The FA deliver their plans. “I wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for the events everybody is familiar with, but if anyone has any doubts or is wavering in any way about whether they should be bothered to complete CRB checks, I can only say it is worth it. It can make a difference and it can help to safeguard children’s lives,” he says.

“Nationally, with over four million children being looked after by half a million adults, the logistical task is one which potentially may run into problematical areas – not least in dealing with the mindset of individuals who feel that having a CRB check completed against them is actually casting aspersions.”

“In Soham, we have two football clubs running and organising youth football across the age group range. To their credit, both of these clubs are registered FA Charter Standard clubs and therefore already embrace both child protection and CRB checking issues which fall under their remit,” he admits.

Tony Pickerin, The FA’s Head of Child Protection, praises the “inspiration” provided by Kevin and Nicola. “I believe we are showing leadership when it comes to safeguarding children, but we know we can never do enough. Our plans to roll out CRB checks along with child protection training and learning to every club and league in the country – along with every adult with access to children – is ambitious. But we believe safeguarding children is and must always be a priority for The FA.”

The FA CRB Unit will be carrying out similar checks for referees in the Blackburn area next week.

For more information on local FA CRB Unit checks, contact Jim Kenyon at the Lancashire County FA, telephone 01772 624000. See also, www.lancashirefa.com and www.blackpoolreferees.co.uk

The FA Child Protection Department can be contacted on 0207 745 4649 while The FA/NSPCC Helpline is 0808 800 5000.

The Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre District Referees Association meets every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at Blackpool Collegiate School, Blackpool Old Road, Blackpool, FY3 7LS