DURHAM FA OFFERS SUPPORT FOR REFEREES AT ALL LEVELS OF THE GAME

Durham County FA Referee Development is led by Referee Development Officer Alex Clark and is supported by County Observers, Mentors, Developers and Referee Coaches. 

The Durham County FA Referees’ Department regularly arrange courses which are led by the Durham FA Referee Development Team to bring new referees into the game. 

In addition, support is provided to new referees through the County FA Mentoring Scheme. 

For referees looking to progress we host a season long promotion pathway with opportunities to enter the Durham County FA Centre of Refereeing Excellence Programme where expert advice and assistance is provided by the Durham County FA Refereeing Coaching Team. 

Opportunities are also available for all referees to attend In-Service Training Events throughout the season. These include opportunities such as fitness sessions, practical assistant refereeing workshops, online and face to face workshops as well as high quality guest speakers. 

Durham County FA is not only submitted to supporting the 11v11 game but also provides opportunities for referees to officiate in mini soccer, small-sided, futsal, pan-disability football and walking football. 

We are committed to ensuring that our referees have the best experience when officiating and are constantly looking to develop and improve. One of the ways in which we do this is to regularly survey our referees as well as having a referee representative on the Durham County FA Youth Council and the formation of a new match official consultation group. 

We are also committed to ensuring that all of our referees are safeguarded whilst officiating and we have introduced a number of initiatives including the yellow and red armband scheme for Under 18 and newly qualified referees; the introduction of a Durham County FA Under 18 Handbook and health and wellbeing support from our partners Kooth and our Refereeing Mental Health Champion Laura Summers to name a few examples. 

If you have any questions or would like to get into refereeing please contact Sebastian Stockbridge our Referee Development Officer at Sebastian.Stockbridge@DurhamFA.com or 0191 3872928 (Opt 2 Opt 6)