FA Refereeing - Strategy Launch

We have launched an ambitious new strategy for grassroots refereeing in England, providing a clear direction for the future of officiating over the next three years and beyond.

The landmark strategy sets out our plan to ensure world class referees are being developed through the pathway from grassroots to elite, so that the game is officiated at the highest possible standards and refereeing thrives both now, and in the future.

The strategy, titled ‘To Grow, Guide and Govern.’, outlines four key transformational goals through to 2026:

• Making refereeing an attractive career choice – Halving the time it takes to reach the top levels and providing slicker, easier admin via one system across the game.
• Improving referee experience – Introducing new rewards & recognition and the implementation of behavioural change initiatives, including the trial of body cams for grassroots referees.
• Making refereeing more inclusive – A commitment to a 50% increase in referees from historically under-represented communities and a 50% increase of female referees.
• Enhancing referee performance and development – Tripling online resources and training and doubling investment in our development system.