Grassroots Refereeing Representative

The FA are excited to be searching for a Grassroots Refereeing Representative who will be part of the FA Council. The FA Council Member representing grassroots refereeing will play a vital role in advocating for and supporting referees within the grassroots football community. This position involves providing strategic input to the FA Council, ensuring that the needs, challenges, and development of grassroots referees are recognised and addressed at a national level. What You'll Do?

• Advocacy and Representation: Act as the primary advocate for grassroots referees within the FA Council, ensuring that their perspectives, concerns, and suggestions are effectively communicated and considered in decision-making processes.
• Strategic Input: Contribute to the development and implementation of FA policies, strategies, and initiatives that promote the growth, development, and retention of referees in grassroots football.
• Policy Development: Assist in shaping policies that support referee recruitment, training, and progression within the grassroots game, working to create a positive and inclusive environment for match officials.
• Engagement and Communication: Liaise with grassroots referees, referee associations, and other stakeholders to gather insights, feedback, and recommendations to inform FA Council deliberations.
• Development Initiatives: Support initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, and welfare of grassroots referees, including education programmes, mentorship schemes, and safeguarding practices.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other FA Council Members, committees, and FA staff to ensure that refereeing is integrated into broader football strategies and initiatives., The position is to represent the Referee population on the FA Council. The Council meets 4 times per season on midweek days. Meetings are usually from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm at Wembley Stadium, St. George's Park or through Microsoft Teams.
Council Members may be appointed to committees within our governance structure. Committees meet as required usually midweek. Council Members can claim allowances for attending council meetings (£150/meeting) and committee meetings (£105/meeting). Travel and subsistence expenses are also payable. All Council Members will be required to disclose any conflicts of interest on appointment and will abide by our Code of Conduct. Our Organisation The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year. The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup and Women's Adobe FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation. Your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location. The contractual location of this role can be found at the top of this advert on our FA vacancy page. The FA, For All, For You Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination. https://www.thefa.com/-/media/thefacom-new/files/about-the-fa/2021/fa_a-game-for-all-strategy.ashx A Game For All outlines three key strategic commitments - Lead the Change, Be the Change, and Inspire the Change - which will ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come. We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work. We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.


• Grassroots Refereeing Experience: Current experience in grassroots refereeing, with a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the grassroots game.
• Communication and Advocacy: Strong communication skills and the ability to advocate effectively on behalf of grassroots referees.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including referees, clubs, leagues, and associations.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: A commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within grassroots refereeing and the broader football community.
  
  As part of The FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.