Reading & District Sunday Football League – The Reading RA
The reading Referees Association (Reading RA) is the local branch of the national Referees Association and is affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Referees Association. It has the Following aims;
· To provide regular opportunities for members to meet and discuss matters relating to refereeing and to football more generally.
· To offer guidance and encouragement for new referees and support the continuing development and progress of all referees.
· To promote and support the welfare of referees and football more generally.
· To server the local community’s need for qualified football referees and seek to improve public understanding of the laws of Association football.
Many of the referees who officiate of the Reading & District Sunday League are members of Reading RA and there has been an extensive history of cooperation between the two organisations. Importantly each party has an appointed delegate who attends the others open meetings, thus facilitating the discussion of any matters of mutual interest or concern.
Among its members Reading RA has a number of FA Licensed Referee Tutors who assist Berks & Bucks FA in both the basic and continuation training of referees. These tutors are also available to assist local football associations and clubs in such areas as the interpretation and application of the laws of the Game and in the training of club assistant referees.
Maintain a sufficient number of qualified referees to meet the needs of local football is an on-going task and one which reading RA actively supports. In particular, it encouraged those who are thinking of retiring as active players to consider taking up the whistle. As well as providing an essential service to football in the community, refereeing can offer much enjoyment and fulfilment to the individual.
RDSLFL Cup Competition Secretary, Malcolm Hillen, is an active member of the reading RA and can be contacted should you have any questions or would like further information.