An investigation into the mindset and the experience of a modern day soccer referee in England

Abstract

The number of football referees in the United Kingdom has significantly declined over recent years (Dell et al., 2014; FA National Game Strategy, 2011; FA National Game Strategy, 2015). This thesis aims to investigate the factors which influence a referee’s intention to quit the game. The thesis will have two research studies that will underpin the research enquiry. The first will establish “what it is like to be a referee?” and the second will look at the rationale behind implementing a bespoke conflict management and resolution training workshop. The results indicate that the training The Football Association (FA) provide referees currently is not fit for purpose and it does not provide them with the knowledge or skills to deal with and resolve conflict. The workshop had a significant positive reaction (post workshop evaluations), followed by evidence of learning taking place (post workshop evaluations and 3 months follow up evaluations), and finally a report of behaviour changes through refereeing after 3 months within the experimental cohort.