The FA expands ‘Our Whistle’ initiative to deliver refereeing courses nationwide

Launched last season at St George’s Park, ‘Our Whistle’ is a specialist refereeing training programme, designed to create stronger pathways into officiating for women and girls across the country. This season, we’re rolling the programme out nationwide through a series of in-person refereeing courses.

Courses will begin in locations including Essex, Manchester, and Birmingham, all of which are key target areas identified as part of the Women’s Game priority places strategy, which we’ll continue to use to pinpoint future locations. This approach will help ensure that women and girls from historically underrepresented communities can take their first steps into refereeing close to home, supported by a programme which reflects their cultural background and community. 

Each participant will receive a full refereeing kit, access to a dedicated mentor, and will take part in a comprehensive training journey that includes an online session, a full-day practical course, and a follow-up event after officiating five matches.

Upon completion, referees will be qualified to officiate at county and regional levels, with clear opportunities to advance through the leagues, with The FA supporting this progression.

Our Whistle builds on our landmark refereeing strategy to create an inclusive and diverse refereeing culture in England. In July 2023, we launched ‘To Grow, Guide, and Govern’, which outlines a significant commitment to diversifying the refereeing pathway over the next three years. This includes delivering more courses, expanding bursary schemes, and enhancing diversity in supporting roles within refereeing.

Joanna Stimpson, National Referee Manager at The FA, said: “Following the success of last season’s session, we’ve seen the positive impact Our Whistle can have on aspiring referees. The next step is spreading this success nationwide, giving women and girls from historically underrepresented communities across the country equal opportunity and access to step into refereeing. We’re really looking forward to taking Our Whistle on the road.” 

A course tutor from last season, said: “Facilitating this program for young girls from historically underrepresented communities was not only an opportunity to share my passion for refereeing but also a chance to help open doors that I wish had been open for me when I first began my journey. This course wasn’t just about refereeing, it was about representation, empowerment, and showing young girls that they belong on the pitch, whistle in hand, ready to take charge.”

More information on the courses including how to apply can be found below: