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FAI launch referee plan

19/01/2007 - 18:44:41

The Football Association of Ireland today launched their Referee Development Plan which is designed to double the number of referees by 2012 as well as assisting in the education, training and development of all referees throughout the country.

The FAI Referees Development Plan is the latest initiative of the FAI Technical Development Plan to be put into place and follows the recent publication of the Women�s Development Plan and the Emerging Talent Programme.

The progress being made in the Technical Department will be formally recognised at the UEFA Congress in D�sseldorf next week, when the FAI will be among the initial eight associations to be admitted to the UEFA Grassroots Charter.

There is currently one registered referee for every eight registered teams in Ireland while the average among the 52 members of UEFA is one referee for every two teams.

The FAI Referee Development Plan is the vehicle through which an agreed, effective and integrated refereeing recruitment, training and development framework will be achieved.

Under the leadership of the Football Association of Ireland, and in partnership with the Irish Soccer Referees and other affiliates and stakeholders, the provision of more fulfilling opportunities will be achieved through the delivery of high quality programmes, structures and facilities.

The FAI Referee Development Plan has been compiled following a period of extensive study and stakeholder consultation. The plan sets out the framework for the future development of the game with eight specific objectives including recruitment and administration support.




FAI technical director, Packie Bonner said: �The resources of the FAI Technical Department, together with the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm of the Irish Soccer Referee Society will work together to enable all referees to attain the level that they wish according to their ability and effort.

He added: �From the initial meetings of this development group to the national workshops held around the country, there is an obvious need for the recruitment, retention and continued education and development of all aspects of refereeing in order to facilitate the growth and enjoyment of football in this country.�

FAI chief executive John Delaney said: �The publication of the Referee Development Plan marks an historic moment for the development of refereeing in this country.�

Adding: �The Football Association of Ireland is making football accessible to anyone who wishes to participate in the game at all levels.

"The family of football has grown ever stronger in recent years, with football now recognised as the most participative team sport in Ireland.

"The continued development of the game is a priority for the Association and commitment to the development of the refereeing sector, in particular, is shown by the significant resources invested in the production and implementation of this development plan.� 

Former FIFA referee Anders Frisk was in Dublin on Friday to help the Football Association of Ireland launch its Referee Development Plan.

The plan for 2006-2011 is the vehicle through which an agreed, effective and integrated Refereeing recruitment, training and development framework will be achieved.

The Association aims to double its current number of registered referees of 1,000 over the next five years.

It is also hoped that the charter will enable affiliated referees to progress at senior level
and even officiate at UEFA Champions League group stage level.

At present, the failure to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of referees is threatening the sustainability of the game at grassroots level in Ireland, where there is an average of one registered referee for every 8.3 registered teams. The equivalent UEFA average is one referee for every two teams.

The announcement of the Referee Development Plan is the latest strategy document formulated by the Technical Department of the FAI, following on the back of the Technical Development Plan and the Womens Development Plan.

FAI Chief Executive Officer John Delaney said: "The publication of this plan marks an historic moment for the development of refereeing in Ireland.

�We have 98 leagues under our jurisdiction and the postponement of games often occurs due to the lack of referees. As this happens mostly at schoolboy level, it is depriving young people the opportunity of development and this plan puts a structure in place to increase the number of referees."

"We are planning for the future here," he added. "The age-profile within our registered referees is something we have to look at because 43% of them are over 50 years of age."

Special guest for the launch Anders Frisk was joined by former Premiership referee David Elleray at the event. Frisk congratulated the FAI on their focus upon referees, stating: "This is an ambitious plan and I would urge anyone interested in taking up the role of refereeing to do so."

Frisk, from Sweden, progressed to the upper echelon of refereeing during his 18- year career and took charge of the EURO 2000 final between France and Italy.

"Refereeing is about a lot of things but it is mostly about meeting people," he continued. "Conflict occurs on the field of play and it is not always a bad thing. When a referee resolves that conflict, it is a success and many times I have enjoyed doing that."