Been reading a lot and having a look at Referee Development Officers (RDOs) around the country (not just where I'm based) and their work within their CFAs as part of a research I'm doing on referee abuse. Is it just me or does there seem to be a lack of work regarding the retention of referees and recruitment of new ones every season. I've had a look at 4 different CFAs, and read about 6-7 others and it doesn't seem great. Obviously research clearly states that we're losing referees as fast as we're recruiting them (to a certain extent).
What's been your experience with RDOs and what more do you feel needs to be done? What do you wish you have as a ref within your area/county?
Is it mainly support?
Is it development & coaching?
Is it just being social and keeping in touch?
As one of the largest CFA's (around 1300 referees) Hampshire has devolved mentor support to each of its six local areas, and likewise with appointing mentors to matches.
The Referee Focus Group meets regularly and has members dedicated to improving recruitment, retention, CORE, inclusivity, female officials, in-service development, etc.
Online groups support referees of all levels, and we are currently engaging with local clubs as we attempt to take on more adult referees (95% of our new referees are under 16)
At the end of the basic course we have a handout (e-mailed, copy to parents if referee under 18, and hard copy posted) which gives guidance re Whole Game System, CFA support (with contact details), local leagues and appointment secretaries, mentor coordinators, the RA, kit and resources, how to obtain appointments, etc.
In the last 13 months we have had 500 candidates through these courses, each contacted by the local appointment secretary.
For current referees we work with the RA branches in the area to offer ongoing support - each newbie gets a year's free membership of the RA - and we offer support to any referee facing attendance (all virtual, currently) at Disciplinary and Hearings.
We offer practical and classroom support to all our promotion candidates and extend it to potential candidates. Support may include watching matches, with reviews of the match officials, etc.
A wide range of support is available - and we do all we can to help every referee - but as they say "You can lead a referee to water, but . . ."