You will have seen in last week's Evening Post a photo of John Baker, the FA's
Head of Refereeing, presenting a welcome pack to one of the 24 candidates who
successfully completed a referee's course and examination.
John, probably the most influential voice in refereeing in the UK, came to Reading to speak about his plans to revitalise recruitment, retention and training of referees in this country. 'We have to build from the ground up', he said and he has already achieved a remarkable amount in the twelve months that he has been in post.
I was intrigued by his answers to 'why do we referee?'. This is the question everybody asks. 'I can't think' people say to me, 'why anyone would want to become a referee'.
Enjoyment was first on his list and it may seem strange to many people that refereeing can be enjoyable. I was speaking to one of the new referees who qualified earlier in the season. He's so far refereed fifteen games and he's enjoyed all of them except for one half when things went wrong. That's not a bad average.
Continued involvement in the game was his next reason why people become a referee. At this time of year in particular, many players are thinking that they are getting too old to carry on playing, or have an injury that makes them ask whether it's worth it. Others realise that they are never going to make it as a footballer but still want to be involved in some way. Refereeing is an ideal option to try.
'At least it gets you some fresh air' was another reason John Baker gave, together with exercise. However, he warned, you shouldn't referee to keep fit - you should keep fit to referee. 'There is also', he said, 'the social contact.' Refereeing can be a lonely game, sometimes it feels that it is you against the world,
certainly against twenty two players and assorted supporters. Belonging to the Referees' Association brings you into contact with others with whom you can discuss your games and who have the same interest in football and refereeing.
Finally on his reasons to referee, John Baker listed money. 'We don't do it for the money' referees will tell you and certainly in my experience anyone who refereed for the money without the enjoyment would not last long. There can be no doubt, however, that at the top level it can be very rewarding financially. A Premiership referee will take home £900 and, although there is a big drop to the Nationwide League, it is still worth refereeing at £210 a game
Even at local levels I know referees who find the money useful. One university undergraduate does as many games as he can to help pay towards his course fees, and one youth referee who does two or three games every weekend, says it is a better way of earning pocket money than doing a paper round.
If you would like to step into John Baker's brave new world and have a go at refereeing, now is the time to find out how. The Reading Referees' Association will start their next training course in September on behalf of the FA. All the instructors are FA qualified. To learn more visit their website www.readingrefs.org.uk or telephone Brian Wratten on 978 2681.