Fulham To Host Bespoke Refereeing Course

Diversifying the officiating landscape in collaboration with FA Refereeing and Amateur FA

The Club and Foundation have partnered with FA Refereeing and Amateur FA on the back of us hosting the Referee Breaking Barriers event at Craven Cottage earlier this year.

This exciting partnership will see us host a bespoke refereeing course at our Fulham FC Training Ground in Motspur Park for Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage local community members. As part of The FA's commitment to addressing the under-representation of Asian, Black and Mixed Heritage officials, more opportunities are accessible now than ever before.

To support football being truly a game for all, this partnership will allow us to offer tailored training programs, mentorship opportunities, and pathways to officiating roles. This initiative not only aims to diversify the pool of referees, but also to ensure that the officiating community reflects the diversity of the footballing world.

The Club’s Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Jamie Dapaah, spoke on the importance of the initiative in helping diversify the current officiating landscape:

"At Fulham Football Club, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their background, can thrive. This partnership with FA Refereeing and Amateur FA is a significant step towards breaking down barriers and creating pathways for under-represented groups of aspiring officials. By providing these opportunities, we hope to inspire a new generation of referees who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the game. I would like to thank the team at the FA and Amateur for their hard work and collaboration on putting this progressive initiative together."

The initiative is aligned with the new FA Refereeing Strategy of a wider goal of helping to increase referee recruitment from historically under-represented ethnic communities. The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they will need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively.

Course 1 Details

• Day 1: Thursday 7th November 2024 (18:00-21:00) – Classroom Based Session
• Day 2: Sunday 10th November 2024, 2024 (10:00-16:00) – Classroom and Practical Based
• Venue: Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT

FA Refereeing EDI Delivery Manager Raj Randhawa stated:

"FA Refereeing and Amateur FA are pleased to be working alongside Fulham FC to provide unique opportunities at a local level. FA Refereeing recognise that the refereeing workforce is not ethnically diverse, and we know that action is needed to rectify this, which has seen the launch of The Reflective and Representative campaign. The Reflective and Representative campaign was formed in 2023 to recruit 1,000 people from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds over the next three years and forms part of The FA’s wider refereeing strategy, To Grow, Guide and Govern.

"This is a strategic commitment for FA Refereeing, but also for the wider footballing family. Subsequently, it is a great pleasure to work in collaboration with Fulham FC in this important mission to diversify the world of refereeing. This partnership marks an exciting milestone in the future relationship between FA Refereeing and Fulham FC, particularly where we can provide opportunities for Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage populations to join the refereeing family.

"In partnership with Fulham FC, we will be delivering a targeted referee course for Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage populations of London at Motspur Park Training Ground. I would like to thank the Club and Jamie Dapaah for their support in the initiative. Referees are the lifeblood of our game and I would love the opportunity to welcome you into the football family through the work we are doing in collaboration with Fulham FC."