In a bold move to address the challenges faced by new referees in their early officiating experiences, Lincolnshire FA launched the Referee Support Leads Initiative in the 2023/24 season.

The project was nominated for a 2024 County FA Recognition Award in the Referee Development category.

The initiative was created to support and develop new Level T referees, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident during their first games, leading to improved retention rates and a more consistent officiating experience across the county.

Identifying the Need for Support

Feedback from previous years highlighted a common concern among new referees—many struggled with confidence and felt unsupported in their early matches. Some were even unable to complete their games due to difficulties arising from inexperience, often leading to negative interactions with players, coaches, or spectators. The data revealed that these challenges not only affected their officiating skills but also discouraged some from continuing as referees. Lincolnshire’s existing conversion rate of 60% from Level T to fully qualified referees, though meeting Key Performance Indicators (KPI), was seen as a less-than-optimal return given the time and resources invested in training.

The Referee Support Leads Initiative

To tackle these issues, the Referee Support Leads Initiative was developed with a clear objective: to provide direct, pitch-side mentoring and consistent pastoral support to new referees. The key components of the initiative included:

• Two Mentor Visits: Each new referee would receive at least two mentor visits during their first ten matches. These visits not only focused on developing officiating skills but also provided emotional and practical support, reducing the likelihood of negative experiences leading to early dropouts.
  
  
• Dedicated Point of Contact: Referees were given a 24/7 point of contact via their assigned Referee Support Lead, offering immediate answers to any questions or concerns that arose during their officiating journey.

Lincolnshire FA recognised the unique geographical challenges of the county, with towns spread across large rural areas. A consistent, accessible support system was needed to address the wide dispersal of referees and leagues.

Building the Team

To implement the initiative, Lincolnshire FA initially sought to recruit a single Referee Support Lead working 14 hours per week. However, the recruitment process identified three strong candidates, all of whom had a passion for the role but limited time. As a result, the provision was increased to 18 hours, split among the three leads, each responsible for different leagues across the county.

With three Referee Support Leads in place, a budget was projected at £10,800 for their roles, along with £5,400 allocated for the mentor visits to 180 anticipated new Level T referees. Additional funding of £900 was dedicated to mentor training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The project received £8,850 through a successful Football Development Fund (FDF) grant application, with further funding sourced from referee course fees and Lincolnshire FA’s budget.

Rolling Out the Initiative

To enhance communication, the Centre Circle app was introduced for all new referees, enabling them to provide immediate feedback after each match. The app also ensured any poor experiences were quickly flagged and followed up within 24 hours by the Support Leads.

The mentor workforce was expanded to 45 individuals, including several young and female referees, offering a more diverse range of role models for new referees. Each Support Lead worked closely with League Appointment Officers to ensure efficient mentor deployment and relevant match appointments.

Positive Results

In the 2023-24 season, the Referee Support Leads Initiative delivered impressive results:

• 184 referees recruited during the season
• 319 mentor visits completed
• Conversion rate increased to 78%, an 18% improvement over previous years
• Club marks for referees improved by 10% across five youth leagues
• Match coverage increased by 16% overall in those leagues

Looking Forward

The success of this initiative is already making a significant impact on referee retention and development in Lincolnshire. By providing early-stage mentoring, the scheme addresses common issues before they escalate, resulting in safer, better-managed games. Importantly, the initiative ensures that referees, particularly those under 18 who make up a large portion of the workforce, are set on a clear development pathway. This includes progression through the promotion scheme at Level 7 or Y1-Y2 and eventual introduction to open-age football at 16 as Assistant Referees in the Senior County League.

By investing time and resources at the start of a referee’s journey, Lincolnshire FA is reducing attrition rates, creating a more engaged referee workforce, and improving the overall quality and experience of grassroots football in the county.

The Referee Support Leads Initiative is already showcasing its long-term benefits and will undoubtedly continue to be a cornerstone of referee development in Lincolnshire. With the increased conversion rates, enhanced training, and closer engagement, the future of refereeing in Lincolnshire looks bright.

Declan Ford, Referee Development Manager at Lincolnshire FA, said:"Providing tailored support to our newly qualified referees through the Referee Support Leads initiative has been a game changer. We’ve seen a significant improvement in both retention and performance, with referees feeling more confident and valued early in their journey. This initiative shows the positive impact of investing in our officials, ensuring they stay in the game longer and improve the overall matchday experience."

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