Whistlers is a resource for teachers to deliver to students (aged 11-14) in secondary schools, which covers the knowledge and rules required to be a football referee, with a significant focus on skill development.

The course aims to help young people develop a basic understanding of football and refereeing, as well as an awareness and understanding for the need of figures of authority within sport and society.

The course was delivered by Annie Zaidi as part of her role for Leicester City School Sport & Physical Activity Network (SSPAN). The students took part in the course over 2 days, which included theory and practical work and was concluded when the young referee’s officiated Leicester City Girls Schools fixtures between local primary schools.

Nine students from the school completed the course. One of the students said she had been recommended to take part by her teacher and had been pleased to be involved and given the opportunity to referee games for the local schools. Another student said he “was pleased to have been put on the course because he had wanted to get into refereeing for a while but didn’t know how to get started”.

Jacob Lehane, Leicestershire & Rutland County FA Referee Development Officer, attended the final day of the course to present the students with their certificates. “The course offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain an understanding of officiating in Football”.