As many teams and clubs look ahead to the new season, the third team on the pitch are also recruiting!

Grassroots football as well as professional football relies on officials to enable games to be played. We are fortunate in Cumberland that more than 90% of matches at grassroots level are played with a qualified and registered referee, however to support the current formats and with the addition of organised flexible football more trained officials are needed!

Being a Referee is not always an easy task, but can be very rewarding!

It can give ex-players an opportunity to stay in the game and be involved on the pitch when playing opportunities are no longer there. Many current players have also taken up the whistle, especially at the younger age giving them more understanding of the game and seeing it through another pair of eyes!

Cumberland FA deliver courses throughout the season and support newly qualified and more experienced referees by offering input from coaches and mentors. Officiating in the Centre of Excellence programme in conjunction with Carlisle United FC is a popular support network for referees. In addition there are Referee Academies and Associations run throughout the county offering various support to all referees in Cumberland.

As well as refereeing in local leagues, referees have the opportunity of officiating in Cumberland FA County Cups with appointments to County Cup Finals a highlight for many local referees.

We’ve asked some current referees why they first took up the whistle:

“I wasn't going anywhere as a player and having been frustrated by some refereeing decisions, I thought right time to have a go. I haven't looked back since. Yes there are times when it is a thankless task, you get home from a game and throw your bag into the garden and tell yourself 'that's it I'm done' but you pick up your gear, clean your boots and prepare for Saturday’s game.

However for all the 'not so good experiences' the good and great ones far outweigh them and it is appointments like this that make it worthwhile!”     John Mulligan, Cumberland Cup Final Referee and who recently was an Assistant Referee at Old Trafford (with England Captain Wayne Rooney playing)

“There are a few reasons why I decided to become a referee. The main reason was because when I finished playing myself at 18 none of my mates were staying in adult football but I wanted to stay involved in the game I love so much, so I thought I would give refereeing a go.”        Kevin Mulraine, Cumberland Cup Final 2016 Assistant Referee having been in the middle twice.

“I volunteered to help out the manager of my daughter’s team and he threw me the whistle! I'm also a mentor at Cumberland FA Referees Academy where we help and encourage young (and some older) newly qualified referees to become the referees  of  the future!”            Andrew Carruthers, County Cup Final Official 2016

Officials in Cumberland are all ages (minimum age 14) and are a vital part of grassroots football in the County.

We’re delighted to announce the NEXT BASIC REFEREE Course taking place in Carlisle in August 2016.

Wednesday 17th August 2016  - Safeguarding Children Workshop (16+) - 1800 - 21:00
Thursday 18th August 2016 - Pre-Course Meeting - 19:00 - 21:00
Saturday 3rd September 2016 - Theory and Practical  - 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday 4th September 2016  Theory and Practical - 10:00 - 16:00
Call Back Meeting TBC (Approx. 6 weeks after) -  Final Sign off - 19:00 - 21:00

CLICK HERE to book ONLINE NOW!

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