Young referees are “champing at the bit” to take charge of matches across both Cumberland and Westmorland.
Isabella Chelton,16, became the latest new kid on the block to graduate from junior to senior games on Saturday. Isabella, of Kendal, officiated as Brough hosted Lunesdale United Reserves in a Westmorland League (WL) Division IV fixture.
And in doing so she became the eighth 16-year-old to make her WL debut this season.
“All contributions from all referees are valued but for us it’s fantastic that we’ve got so many young ones coming through,” said Ben Close, the WL’s fixture and registration secretary, and social media manager.
“The more young referees you have coming through, the better it bodes for the future. I think for us the platform is there for them to referee.
“We’re a very safe league in which to referee which is the biggest thing we’re proud of. These young referees actively want to come and referee in the WL. You wouldn’t necessarily be able to say that about every grassroots league in the country.”
Anyone of any age can become a referee. Candidates simply have to register with their local football associations, whose staff run training courses, generally three or four a year. Once referees have qualified, their names are added to the pool of officials who are appointed to matches by referee development officers (RDOs)
“Juniors will cut their cloth in the youth leagues first,” said Ben. “All the 16-year-olds who have come through this season and those who have come through during the past few years have started in the Kent Valley Junior League or Lancashire Service to Youth League, at under-10, 12, 14 or 16 level.”
Once referees reach the age of 16, they can then step up to senior matches if they wish.
“I think the most pleasing thing for us is that all of them have been champing at the bit. Basically almost as soon as they’ve turned 16 they’ve said they want to get into it and give it a go,” said Ben.
Senior teams are given advance notice about the appointment of young referees who, for the first few matches, are accompanied by a mentor who offers support and advice.
“The feedback from players has been really good. It’s constructive, which helps,” said Ben.
“At the end of the day, the vast majority of players appreciate and understand that without a referee there isn’t a game.”
He was keen to highlight the work done by RDOs Scott Taylor, Pete Leonard and Jacob Lehane, of the Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire FAs, respectively.
“Although we give people the platform to referee with the league and fixtures, it’s the FAs who run the courses and do all the development and ongoing training of referees.
“It’s really down to the hard work they do that referees are where they are and we’ve got such a good pool to choose from,” added Ben.
