CLIENT CASE STUDY: Scottish FA

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Referee online training module

We worked with The Scottish FA to launch a brand-new referee online training course, offering a fresh and innovative route to becoming a referee. The courses aim to provide the best available coaching for aspiring match officials, combined with flexibility, in a new drive to increase referee recruitment in Scotland.

The course, a first for refereeing in Scotland, includes interactive match footage, an in-depth IFAB Laws of the Game exam and offers an alternative alongside the face-to-face training already in place for those looking to begin their refereeing journey.

CHALLENGES

Scottish FA Head of Referee Operations Crawford Allan said: “It has become apparent during the pandemic that people are very keen to play or be involved in sport and it is very encouraging to see so many people returning to football.

“This, in turn, gives us a challenge supplying sufficient referees each week, so we are delighted to be launching this pioneering new online course to help recruit and train new referees throughout Scotland.

“The Scottish FA launched our online referee new entrants’ course, in partnership with eCoach, in March 2022 and it has been a great success. The content is informative, always up to date including any changes to the LOTG, and interactive including clips of match incidents which makes the course interesting and never dry or boring for the candidate as they progress through the laws of the game.

The support they offer to the candidates and The Scottish FA ensures that any problem encountered is always dealt with timeously. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”

– Craig Charleston, Referee Recruitment and Retention Officer

The launch comes after significant success in Northern Ireland and Wales, where there has been a 300% increase in referee recruitment following the launch of the online courses.

SOLUTION

The course breaks down distance and time constraint barriers when looking to take a referee course, allowing learners to take the module at their own pace, in their own time, and in the comfort of their home.

Once passed successfully, candidates are given a direct link to their local Referee Association, getting them within touching distance of picking up a whistle for the first time.

RESULTS

Up until December 2022, Scottish FA have had 242 candidates register for the online referee course, with 106 succesfully completing and passing the exam, and going on to join their chosen referee association and begin to referee games of football in Scotland.

ABOUT THE CLIENT

The Scottish FA is the governing body for football in Scotland. It is a members’ organisation, made up of 89 clubs and nine affiliated regional associations. There are six affiliated national associations and five recognised leagues.

To find out more about Scottish FA, visit www.scottishfa.co.uk