The Adran Leagues Referee Academy is the FAW’s dedicated referee development programme for women and girls.
Through FIFA funding the Academy provides bespoke training and networking open to all women and girls currently refereeing in Wales, including in-person and online development sessions.
At a recent Adran Leagues Referee Academy free taster event at Cardiff City Stadium, FIFA and Grassroots Referees joined to share their journey and offer training opportunities to aspiring Referees.
FAW Match Officials Recruitment and Retention Manager, Jack Rea, said: “The Adran League’s Referee Academy is a refereeing CPD opportunity that is specifically targeted towards women and girls, and the aim is to develop women and girls to eventually referee in the Adran Leagues.
“It’s all about giving people first the opportunity to try refereeing for free, then progress onto our course if they’d like to do so. Then finally get them into grassroots football, where hopefully they have the opportunity to progress to the elite game.”
On the importance of the Academy, Grassroots Referee, Saffron Rennison said: “When I started out in refereeing, there wasn’t really a pathway for women. You’re in a male dominated industry and environment and I didn’t really have that support. I want to be involved in the academy to enable others now to see you’ve got that support to help you move forward.”
Adran Leagues Referee Academy Participant, Ruth Leggett added: “Being able to take part with other women and understand what their experiences are like is really encouraging and it’s great fun as well.”
The FAW’s Adran Leagues Referee Academy is excited to present a free Panel Talk on Sunday 23rd of June at Dragon Park, Newport. Featuring former Cymru International Helen Ward, former Cymru International and current FIFA Referee Cheryl Foster, and FIFA Assistant Referee Ceri Williams, chaired by Grassroots Referee Saffron Rennsion, the panel will reflect on their careers in football and offer insight for those interested in developing theirs.
You can begin your Referee journey at Become A Ref.
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