Female match officials from across the country came together last month at Warwick University for the ETP (Emerging Talent Pathway) Summer Camp.

Coming into its third season, the ETP was established by The FA to help facilitate the development of promising women and girls who had the potential to make it to the highest level as a match official.

Working directly with the officials at a grassroots level, the programme sees up and coming officials mentored by fellow referees, along with providing them the infrastructure to reach their target.

Taking place once a year, the national camp saw a record number of officials from Sussex in attendance.

Of the nine women and girls enrolled on the programme in the county, seven attended the camp, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn from and meet fellow officials.

In a packed schedule, attendees' time was split between practical work out on the pitch, focusing on fitness and different application of refereeing techniques, and classroom-based courses on aspects such as preparing for a game and creating objectives for the season.

Among the officials in attendance was Emily Carney, one of highest profile female assistant referees in the women’s game, having officiated at last season's UEFA Champions League Final, and the Paris Olympics.

Within the Sussex contingent in attendance was Darcey James, one of the newest officials on the scene, having only recently started refereeing since she stopped playing following an injury.

Speaking on the event, Darcey said: “I found the camp really beneficial and enjoyable. It was nice to speak to officials from all over the country and to have the opportunity to learn from some professionals in the game.

“I learnt lots on the camp, mainly from the other referees and things they have experienced whilst refereeing, and how to overcome these and learn from them.”

Also in attendance was Georgia Rooney, one of our directors, and also the ETP Regional Coordinator for the South.

“My personal passion has always been to increase the number of women and girls refereeing in Sussex, and alongside, improve the quality of support for them,” said Rooney.

“Since I started refereeing myself and feeling that sense of loneliness of being the only women out there, I’ve made it my mission to change that, so to be at an event like the ETP camp, where before I’d have been the only representative from Sussex, to now be joined by so many fantastic referees, felt brilliant.

“Events such as these make such a difference through not only what they provide in terms of the training, but also just in the environment of the camp itself and the chance to expand an individual’s refereeing community.”

For further details about refereeing in Sussex please contact:

Referees
T: 01903 768573
E: Referees@SussexFA.com