A group of match officials between the ages of 14 and 19 were identified and were invited to be part of this group. The sole purpose was to allow the identified referees to officiate at one of the three professional Club Academy’s where as a member of the Young Referee Development Programme they would be offered more specific training in order to enhance their development as a Match Official.

Each Referee is assigned a referees coach, who is a Senior Referee within the County. The Referee Coach will offer current and relevant advices, as well as watching the individual officiate.

In return the Referee will be expected to be a dedicated and committed individual, with high standards of attendance at meetings and excellent administration.  In return, the County FA will offer structured training and support.

The YRDP is designed as preparation for young referees to be educated and developed in readiness for Adult Football.
We have currently set up a partnership with the Veterans League, Bristol and District League and Bristol Suburban League so that the young Referees from the YRDP can be slowly introduced into Adult football.

6 members of the YRDP Refereed their first Adult matches on Sunday 20th October 2013 involving teams from the veterans league; Wickwar, Lawrence Rovers, Lockleaze  and Winterbourne Utd OB.

Head Academy Coach Sam fudge told us:

“The day was a great success, with 6 officials refereeing their first adult games. The officials have all been part of the GFA YRDP since of start of this season and have shown potential to make the step up to adult’s football. The officials equated themselves well, with the teams from both games being happy with the standard of officiating. The GFA veteran’s league is the ideal environment to make this transition as smooth as possible, and the relationship between the GFA veteran’s league and the YRDP and continue to help young officials progress in Gloucestershire. All of the officials enjoyed their games and are now looking to referee adult’s football on a regular basis.”