Highlighting key role of officials
Over the next four weeks, the Toolstation Western League will be running a campaign to promote the contribution that match officials make to football at every level of the game.
Using the Western League Podcast, website and social media channels, the campaign will look at the motivation for officials to get involved with the game and what they get out of their participation, as well as what they find most frustrating.
Headlining with a serialised interview with Ref Support UK CEO Martin Cassidy, a registered charity created by referee and trustees who have all officiated in the Western League, Ref Support provides referees with independent support, separate from the Football Association.
The charity doesn’t receive funding from any footballing governing body which enables them to challenge organisations like the FA when needed, as well as supporting match officials with training both on and off the pitch.
In the interview for the Western League Podcast, Cassidy said: “I applaud the league for being the first in the country to approach Ref Support for some independent help and support, because we won’t just take the referees’ side.
“We are never going to say that every referee is perfect for the level they operate at.
“Some referees react too quickly, some referees haven’t had the soft skills training on how to deal with confrontation and those skills aren’t taught by the FA at grassroots level.
“We believe that concentrating on those first and getting soft skills to a level that can improve your communication with players and club officials really, really helps.”
The campaign will also include contributions from Western League match officials like Andrew Hobbs, who got into refereeing after he gave up playing, on the advice of his late friend Mark Box. Hobbs enjoys the opportunity to contribute to the game he loves, but is sad to see officials being abused every week.
Cassidy added: “I can go into the pubs in Bristol and bump in to a player or manager and have a pint and you can make some wonderful long-term friendships.
“I would advise anybody to get off of their Playstation, get off the couch and get out and take a referees course. It’s a great way to increase social engagement improve your soft skills and just to meet people who are football lovers, just like you.”
If anyone is interested in becoming a match official then contact your County FA to find out more. The Toolstation Western League Podcast is available weekly, on itunes and toolstationleague.com. Or search @Tswesternleague on social media. As part of the campaign, fans are being asked to use #Lovethewhistle in any football related posts.