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Quiz Night with Peter Jones
As with many Local RAs, we’ve been restricted with what we’ve been able to offer our members and wider community. Ordinarily, we’d be meeting in person once a month, starting with a physical fitness session, followed by a technical session with a guest speaker, before finishing with a social in the bar downstairs at Blackpool Cricket Club.

Blackpool RA signed up to Zoom and has seen a superb response, with an average of 20 members logging in each month. This season we’ve learnt from SG2 Referee Oli Langford on handball, had a Q&A with SG1 and FIFA referee Anthony Taylor, heard about SG1 and FIFA Assistant Referee Adam Nunn’s journey and future aspirations, with our most recent Zoom listening to new SG2 Referee Leigh Doughty on the ‘Positive Impact of Leadership’.

In addition to our online Zooms, the Committee have always been available on the end of the phone to provide any of our members with advice and support during these unprecedented times.

Going forward, and when safe to do so, we plan to re-start our monthly physical training sessions and meetings. We will integrate these with some online sessions via Zoom at different times of the season, as this seems to have been a very popular format with our members. The overall aim for the Society is to keep recruiting young and ambitious members, and to support them on their referee journey. We will also be collaborating and liaising effectively with the Lancashire FA Referees’ Department and with The National Referees’ Association.

Our Partnerships

Partnerships are often formed between individuals, agencies or organisations with a shared interest to address specific issues. Our evidence reveals that our members young and old often require mental, emotional, financial, medical help, support and guidance. The Referees’ Association champion the work of those agencies that provide this support in times of need. Should you require support please contact the relevant agency below or the RA Head Office.
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Join the Referees Association

The National RA recommends that prospective members should join through their local LRA, the easiest way being to attend one of the many local association meetings that take place across the country on a regular (usually monthly) basis. Find your nearest branch now.

Alternatively, online membership is now available for any referee who wishes to take up central membership. The National RA will then allocate you a local branch. Join now.