The Surrey County Football Association and the Surrey County Referees Association joined forces in 2003 to improve the opportunity for Surrey's referees to rise within the pyramid system.
The aim of the scheme is to encourage and motivate a group of referees with high potential to reach the higher levels of refereeing. The County FA Referees' Committee approves the candidates who then have to go through an interview process before membership is confirmed. The composition of the Group Members will be monitored at all times and is reviewed annually. New members will be introduced to the group when places become available. The group will consist of 16 match officials ranging from level 7 to level 3 for season 09-10.
It is stressed that the Development Group Members will not be given any preferential advantages over other referees competing for promotion within the Pyramid System. However a place to the Dallas Cup Youth Tournament in the United States is always a prize that members would like to attain.
Group Members are expected to exhibit the highest standards of communication and commitment. Each Group Member is allocated a senior referees Mentor. Mentors receive the assessments from their Mentee for analysis and discussion on key areas for their development. Where possible, the Mentors will accompany their Group Member to games and discuss their development areas.
The Development Group and its coordinator for next season Lee Cable are looking to build upon pass successes and a full season of development has been scheduled including three meetings and a number of visits to local clubs to analysis performances. This helped the Group Members to appreciate and understand the vital strengths and development areas required in their own future performance.
Meeting dates arranged are on Thursdays 11th September 2008, 22nd January 2009 and 14th May 2009. All meetings take place at Surrey Football Association Offices commencing at 7.30pm.
The Group and their Mentors have had some quality speakers over the past few season with appropriate content: Neale Barry (Head of Senior refereeing at the FA), Ken Ridden (Vice Chairman, UEFA Referees' Committee), Roger Wiseman (FA Premier League Assessor), Philip Sharp (World Cup Final Assistant referee), David Hutchinson (FA Licensed Instructor) , Paul Taylor, Paul Melin, Paul Armstrong (Football League Referees) and Martin Yerby ( FA Cup Final Assistant) are just some of the quality speakers that have addressed the group.
More information is available from Tim Lawrence, Referees Development officer.
Last season successes
We are always delighted when members of the group are promoted to their new levels especially when they reach National List status:
Congratulations to Lee Collins to the National List of assistants,
Equally, we are thrilled that
1 member has gained level 3 status,
2 members have gained Level 4 status,
1 member has gained level 5 status,
The ultimate aim of the group is to be promoted to the national List of referees and Steven Cook is the only past member of the group to have achieved that so far, we are sure that you can be the next.
The aims set are still achieving results!!