Ahead of the 2026-27 season, thousands of semi-pro game match officials participated in training and development programmes across the country, as part of our largest-ever summer referee development programme.
Starting in mid-May, an extensive 25-day schedule of events, camps, workshops and online learning opportunities, provided officials operating across the National League System (Steps 2-6 of the men's game and Tiers 3 and 4 of the women's game) with over 120 hours of learning and development to help prepare them for the new season.
The summer programme supports and develops match officials, ensuring they are equipped to perform at their best and continue progressing within the game.
Activities included induction events, pre-season conferences, Centre of Referee Excellence (CORE) camps, Women's National League development camps, regional development days, and a wide range of online modules and support resources, providing learning, development and engagement opportunities across both the men's and women's pathways.
The content of sessions focused on all aspects of modern officiating – including practical on-field delivery, managing the game, communication and player management skills, updates to the Laws of the Game, teamwork, wellbeing, resilience, sports psychology, sports science, training, and nutrition – delivered by expert practitioners and consultants, providing officials with the latest thinking and best practice ahead of the new season.
Alongside face-to-face delivery, a series of online learning modules reinforced key messages and ensures learning continues beyond the conference and camp environment. The resources align closely with our long-term strategy for refereeing, helping to provide consistency of expectations, behaviours and development opportunities across the pathway.
Ross Joyce, FA Senior Referee Manager for Referee Development, said: "This was the most ambitious summer programme we have ever undertaken, with a record number of events and learning opportunities delivered across the country to bring officials together, connect them with their colleagues, and provide high-quality development opportunities ahead of the new season.
“Diversity and Inclusion is a focus area of our Refereeing Strategy and it was encouraging to see so many officials from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and stages of their refereeing journey attend events throughout the summer, with thousands of individual interactions taking place across both in-person and online activity.
“Our thanks go to the fantastic volunteer workforce of coaches, observers and developers who have all played a key role in supporting our biggest ever summer programme.
“We wish everyone involved a successful season and thank them for their continued commitment to refereeing.”
