Two new reports from the EU-funded REFS project – which EuroHockey is partner – have just been published covering how to attract, support and retain the next generation of sport officials – referees, judges, umpires etc.

The European Research Report on Children and Young People in Sport Officiating and the Compendium of Good Practice Examples in the Perception, Recruitment and Retention of Children and Young People in Sport Officiating are now live on the REFS website.

Together, they provide sport federations, clubs, schools, officiating organisations and policymakers with a detailed picture of young officials’ experiences and examples of initiatives that can inform future action.

The publications have been produced through REFS – Inspiring the Next Generation of Sport Officials in Europe; coordinated by EOSE with Coventry University leading the development of these new publications for the sector.

The research report focuses on sport officials aged 14–20 and examines how young people enter officiating, the benefits they gain, the difficulties they experience and the factors influencing whether they remain involved.

The accompanying compendium turns many of these themes into practical examples. It includes five extended and three concise case studies from football, hockey, school sport, athletics, rugby, handball and basketball.

The next phase of REFS will produce detailed guidelines to support the sector further in the important topic of attracting and retaining young officials, after all no officials = no sport.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7xne8hN

Read or download the reports: https://lnkd.in/eVv8cq3F