I often see on here Referees being disgruntled with what’s happening in regular grassroots football and contemplating packing it all in or actually walking away from refereeing.
There is a growing opportunity (and a need) for FA Referees to become involved in walking football. There are close to 40 leagues now affiliated with county FAs, the FA Walking Football Cup began its regional rounds this weekend in the South West with 5 more regional qualifying rounds before Finals Day in November at FA St George’s Park. Plus many other affiliated competitions throughout the year.
There is an FA Learning Programme specifically for Walking Football and this can be done as a standalone course in the same way as the FA Futsal learning programme.
Four more specialist WF Referee Developers have been selected very recently to join others already qualified so that there is a better spread of expertise across England.
The image of Walking Football may be one of a group of doddery old footballers kicking a ball around and falling over but the game is far from that with highly competitive games being played out across a wide range of age categories.
The pitch may be smaller, there may be less players on the pitch but as a referee you need all the skills and abilities that are used in regular football to manage these games effectively and efficiently. Fitness, alertness, knowledge of laws, empathy, resilience etc are all needed skills.
So if you feel disheartened with the regular game or are just looking for another format to officiate then please seek out the walking football refereeing opportunities in your area. Your county FAs RDO should be able to point you in the right direction.
It’s a tough gig but very rewarding and some great opportunities that will only become bigger as the game continues to develop both in England and across other countries. It is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing sports in the World.
Help the game develop in England , step forward and get involved. The game requires the support of dedicated and talented Referees.
There is a growing opportunity (and a need) for FA Referees to become involved in walking football. There are close to 40 leagues now affiliated with county FAs, the FA Walking Football Cup began its regional rounds this weekend in the South West with 5 more regional qualifying rounds before Finals Day in November at FA St George’s Park. Plus many other affiliated competitions throughout the year.
There is an FA Learning Programme specifically for Walking Football and this can be done as a standalone course in the same way as the FA Futsal learning programme.
Four more specialist WF Referee Developers have been selected very recently to join others already qualified so that there is a better spread of expertise across England.
The image of Walking Football may be one of a group of doddery old footballers kicking a ball around and falling over but the game is far from that with highly competitive games being played out across a wide range of age categories.
The pitch may be smaller, there may be less players on the pitch but as a referee you need all the skills and abilities that are used in regular football to manage these games effectively and efficiently. Fitness, alertness, knowledge of laws, empathy, resilience etc are all needed skills.
So if you feel disheartened with the regular game or are just looking for another format to officiate then please seek out the walking football refereeing opportunities in your area. Your county FAs RDO should be able to point you in the right direction.
It’s a tough gig but very rewarding and some great opportunities that will only become bigger as the game continues to develop both in England and across other countries. It is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing sports in the World.
Help the game develop in England , step forward and get involved. The game requires the support of dedicated and talented Referees.
