Football, or the ‘beautiful game’ as it is fondly referred to, has grown in popularity in Australia and beyond. The A-league continues to attract players from across the globe, while the lower league is becoming increasingly competitive.
Moreover, non-professional teams are sprouting up all over, with players joining for fun or simply to stay in shape.
The role of referees in ensuring that footballers follow the rules cannot be overemphasised. As more teams are formed, there is an ever greater need for referees to officiate matches at both the professional and amateur levels.
To meet the demand for match officials, there is a need to encourage more people, especially members of the younger generation, to step up. In this article, you will find a number of tips for aspiring football referees.
Maintain Interest in the Game
For aspiring referees, there is a need to generate and maintain a deep interest in the game. They must understand all about football games, and all the comings and goings in the world of football.
This includes familiarising themselves with the rules of the game, along with any and all proposed changes.
Moreover, technology is slowly creeping into football to assist referees in making decisions. Aspiring referees must stay atop these changes.
They also need to understand the rationale behind the introduction of technology-based refereeing to better appreciate their use and application.
Foster Integrity
In football, the referee’s decision is (most of the time) the absolute final word.
The immense power that the referee wields in the game of football implies that his or her decision must be respected by both players and supporters.
A referee’s integrity, therefore, is of paramount importance. Aspiring referees must maintain a high degree of integrity or else their decisions on the pitch could be subject to challenge or even (in a worst-case scenario) non-compliance.
