Talent ID events launched to boost diversity in refereeing

We have today launched a new series of Talent ID events to identify the next generation of match officials from Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage populations within The FA Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE) programme. 

The new scheme will help to ensure the proportion of referees from under-represented ethnicities operating within the professional game is equal to the proportion of Black and Asian people nationally.

To help achieve this, we will host six Talent ID showcase events across the country in April and May. The events, set to take place in Manchester, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Leicester, and two in London, will offer aspiring referees the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and ambition for officiating at the professional level.

Participants will undergo evaluations covering the Laws of the Game, fitness testing, and decision-making, while also learning more about the FA CORE programme. The events are designed to provide valuable insights into the selection process and serve as a crucial first step for those aiming to reach the highest levels of refereeing.

The sessions will be attended by key role models from the professional game, who will share their experiences and insights to inspire referees from Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage communities to pursue careers in top-level refereeing.

For the first time, referees can self-nominate to attend the Talent ID events, offering an additional avenue for participation. This streamlined process opens up more opportunities for aspiring grassroots referees and allows for greater access to the programme.

The Talent ID events complement our newly launched mentoring programme, developed in partnership with BAMREF, to support Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage match officials on their progression through the grassroots pathway. The mentoring programme will see over 40 referee mentors trained up and deployed across the country to provide tailored support to officials who complete our bursary-funded training course. 

These initiatives are part of our landmark refereeing strategy to create an inclusive and diverse refereeing culture in England. In July 2023, we launched ‘To Grow, Guide, and Govern’, which outlines a significant commitment to diversifying the refereeing pathway over the next three years. This includes delivering more courses, expanding bursary schemes, and enhancing diversity in supporting roles within refereeing.

Significant progress has already been made, with 895 match officials accessing our bursary scheme from Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage backgrounds since the launch of the programme in the 2023-24 season.  

The target of achieving a net increase of 1,000 Black and Asian Referees by 2026 has already been surpassed, with 3,565 people from Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage backgrounds already registered.

Raj Randhawa, our Refereeing EDI Delivery Manager, said: “Our new Talent ID events are an important step forward in ensuring that our network of match officials reflects the diversity we see on the pitch. By identifying talented match officials from Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage communities, we can accelerate their development, offering enhanced coaching and opportunities, and provide a clear pathway to the top level of refereeing without any barriers.”

To find out more about the Talent ID Showcase events and to register interest, please click below: