Our September Society Meeting brought members together for an evening of discussion, debate and practical referee development, with one question at the heart of the session: “What would you do?” Rather than simply being presented with answers, members were given a series of real-life scenarios and asked to discuss how they would deal with them. The conversations highlighted just how many different considerations a referee can face beyond simply applying the Laws of the Game. Four scenarios,...

This article is from John Cooke – Former Society Chair, former AFA Referee Development Officer and current Society President. A former Level 4 referee with a wealth of experience across football, John brings a depth of knowledge and insight that makes him a fantastic person to learn from and someone who continues to support and develop referees within the game. (A Basic Guide for New Referees – and Reminder for Others) Purpose of the Whistle Interesting Fact 1: The whistle is not mentioned...

We’re just days away from the AFA & LONSAR Summer Development Day. This Sunday, we’re bringing referees together at Market Road Football Pitches for an afternoon focused on getting ready for the new season, developing your refereeing and connecting with fellow officials. Whether you’re a newly qualified referee, an experienced official or somewhere in between, there’s something for everyone. Expect a practical afternoon covering fitness, movement, refereeing development and preparation for...