REFEREE PROMOTIONS 2021

The following referees have all been promoted to the next level after meeting set criteria during the 2020/2021 season:

Promoted from Level 7 to Level 6

James Cairns

Darryl Hambridge

Mike Pattison

Promoted from Level 6 to Level 5

James Alliband

Kevin Ford

Graham Hill

Clive Wilkins

Promoted from Level 4W to Level 3W

Rosie Johns

Congratulations to all of the match officials who have been successful.

Furthermore, we would like to highlight the achievements of Rosie Johns, our highest level female match official.

Rosie has become the first referee from Worcestershire to be promoted on the Women’s pathway. As a new level 3W referee, Rosie will now take charge of Women’s National League fixtures (tiers 3 and 4 in the Women’s Pyramid) whilst continuing to progress in the male game too.

To conclude a fantastic season, Rosie also became the first female referee to be appointed to the Evesham & District Sunday League Cup Final. Rosie and her team are pictured below ahead of the match between Mickleton Rangers and Bretforton Old Boys.

We spoke to Rosie about her achievements and she said: “My season has been very stop start due to covid-19 just like other referees. My first game back after the long break was on 7th April. From this game I had positive feedback which the referee appointments officer passed on and gave me great confidence to know that I wasn’t as rusty as I thought.

From there, games came rolling in and before I knew it I was in full swing. I have been very fortunate to be appointed to two County Cup semi finals and a Sunday League Knockout Cup Final. I made history by being the first female to referee this cup final and the experience/atmosphere was unbelievable.

I have been refereeing now for 5 years it is something I’ve grown to love. Every game is different and a new challenge, whether it is youth football or adults. I find refereeing a very rewarding experience and a hobby that keeps me fit with a smile on my face.”

PAUL FIELD

We are pleased to recognise a significant appointment for one of our referees on a National scale. Paul Field, a level 5 referee based near Evesham, has been appointed as President of The Referees’ Association (RA). Paul has worked determinedly over a number of years to support match officials both locally and nationally, most recently in the role of Chairman of The RA. 

Speaking of his appointment, Paul said: “It’s a great honour to be appointed The RA President, when I first joined The RA some 27 years ago little did I know that I would become its Chairman and now to be appointed 14th President of this great association is very humbling.

The RA works tirelessly for referees in England to make refereeing a positive experience and we are very fortunate to be refereeing in Worcestershire as a county that really supports referees, and football owes a lot to all those hard-pressed referee volunteers for the support given locally – thank you.”

Everyone at Worcestershire FA congratulates Paul on his appointment.

DUNCAN KINGS

It is with great pleasure that we can announce County involvement in The FA National Futsal Summer Series 2021. As with any Final appointment, these are made based on the excellent performances and commitment these officials have shown during this competition.

FA NFS Womens Summer Showdown Final 9:10am KO

Referee 1: Paul Whateley (Leicestershire)

Referee 2: Alex Haynes (Essex)

Referee 3: Sayed Kadri (Leicestershire)

Time Keeper: Duncan Kings (Worcestershire)

The match between Bolton and London Helvecia will be live on BT Sport on Sunday 27th June 2021.

Well done, Duncan!

UNDER 18s OFFICIATE A COUNTY CUP FINAL

A team of match officials aged under 18 recently made history when were appointed to take charge of a Worcestershire FA County Cup Final. It is the first time a WFA County Cup Final has been officiated by a team of youth referees.

Referee: Calum Bennett
Assistant Referees: Joe Wilkins and Mason Plumley-Rose

All three match officials performed admirably during the WFA Saturday U14 Cup Final, which eventually finished West Worcester 1-2 Worcester City. Every spectator in attendance received some promotional material to remind them that the match officials – just like the players – are also children and learning their way as a referee. To their credit, both Clubs and the spectators in attendance behaved impeccably throughout and added to a fantastic occasion.

Calum, Joe and Mason are pictured below with their mentor for the day, Nick Huxley.

#SeeTheSocks via @WFAHFARefs on Twitter

Over to you…

Could you be next to achieve something great in refereeing? We have courses scheduled before the season starts. Get in touch to find out more by emailing: referees@worcestershirefa.com