New referees will enter at the Base Group with the Development Group in adult football, with the top group being the Senior Group, referees at Levels 4 & 5.
Referee Coaches have been identified & trained to help develop the referees of tomorrow; Success of last season’s work has seen the majority of the young referees receive their promotions.
The Young Referees received experienced tuition in all forms of the game & have benefited from the coaching & mentoring of senior colleagues. The young referees have worked exceptionally hard to make the step into adult football; reports from Clubs & Assessors have been good.
“I hope all the Leagues, Associations, Clubs, Businesses, Referee Society & Individuals who sponsored the 2008 team can see the development of the young referees they helped financially” stated Referees Officer, Ray Brown. The success of the project has seen the group of youngsters grow to 17 in the 2008/09 season.
The Cornwall FA Young Referees Group was formed in late 2006. It is now known as the Development Group, the middle tier of the Referee Development Centre.
The Group is managed by the Referee Development Officer, supported by a small group of experienced referees working as Coaches to the young referees.
The Young Referees are trained in all aspects of the game: 11-A-Side, Small Sided, Mini-Soccer & Futsal together with the Art of Lining, Mentoring, Safeguarding Children and Criminal Records Bureau checks (where appropriate). The Group is also supplying referees to the Wheelchair FA.
The Young Referees are keen supporters of Schools & Youth Football; they also support the SW Ability Counts Disability League.
Success Story
Collectively the group had a very successful two seasons. 10 Promotions were supported by 1 International, 1 European, 7 National Finals, 35 Regional Finals, 36 County Finals and a host of local and youth league finals.
500 games (2 x 20 minutes) were refereed by the group in Denmark over 2 tournaments, culminating in 33 of the 63 prestigious Cup Final Appointments.
Immediately upon their return from Denmark in 2007, 7 members of the group were selected to officiate in the two-legged Duchy College International Youth Challenge between Plymouth Argyle & Latvia.
6 of the team officiated 130 (2 x 40 minutes) games in the Orange Classic in Fort Lauderdale, USA. Again the team collected 12 Cup Final appointments.
This season 6 further promotions are likely, County & Regional appointments are already arriving & further honours are predicted.
Sponsors and Supporters
The Group’s most notable sponsor is His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall. Corporate backers included The Football Association, Umbro Sportswear, SAQ International & A&H International.
Financial Contributors were many & varied, including Leagues, Associations, Business’s, Referee Societies & Individuals.
Our very grateful thanks are extended to all.
Testimonials
Ian Blanchard, FA Head of Refereeing & Roger Vaughan, FA Regional Manager
“The Football Association is very pleased to endorse the attendance at the Denmark Soccer Festival & The Orange Classic, Fort Lauderdale, USA of members of the Cornwall FA Referees Development Group. This further enhances the excellent work undertaken by the County in their development of its match officials”
Al Fluin, Tournament Director of Denmark Soccer Festival
“I really enjoyed welcoming the team of Young Referees from Cornwall. Their high standards were a major boost to our tournament. The tournament attracted 170 teams from 26 Countries & knowing that I could rely on such a dedicated group was a weight off my shoulders”
I know the experience they gained from refereeing teams from places like Brazil, Mexico, the USA & most European Countries has made them better referees. Cornish Football can only benefit from this unique effort from the referees from Cornwall”
Newman “Zoom” Stemple, Referees Director, Orange Classic, Fort Lauderdale, USA
“We were all impressed with the standard & dedication of all of the English Referees, many friendships have been made & they have an open invitation to return at any time”
At the end of the 2008 Denmark Soccer Festival the groups growing reputation had earned them invites from around the world, which included; USA, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Kosovo, Italy & Denmark
Can You Help Us
As we strive to continue to develop the referees for the future your help is important to us. If you can help us with a financial donation or the use of equipment or facilities we would be most grateful.
Please contact Ray Brown Referee Development Officer, 01726 74080.