WHILST the vast majority of all Clubs do a wonderful job in welcoming referees to their grounds and supporting them for the duration of their fixtures, there is still a minority of individuals within our Clubs that continue to direct verbal and physical abuse towards referees.

Throughout the 2016 Season, FFV has seen an increase in the number of reported incidents in relation to verbal and physical abuse of referees. This is concerning as each year, referees leave the game due to the abuse directed towards them on match days.

Subsequently, the number of referees available for appointments in competitions across Victoria is affected. This leaves many matches without qualified referees, placing pressure on inexperienced club volunteers to deputise in the role, which can create frustration for competing teams and their supporters.

Referee recruitment, development and retention remain a focal point for the sport and our Referees Department underwent a significant restructure in early 2015 in recognition of this priority.

The department is leading a number of initiatives including, but not limited to the following:

- Raising the profile of the green shirt program (creating awareness of first-year referees)

- Pink Whistle Program (tailoring education and support for female referees)

- Implementation of the FFV Referee Academy and Talent Pool

- Referee Branch Restructures (providing uniform education, communication and support across Victoria)

- Providing more Respect & Responsibility Courses (educating clubs on the role of a referee)

- Organising more referee visits to clubs and regional areas to establish stronger relationships.

Last year referee registrations grew by 19%, while this season we are on track to achieve a similar result and we believe the above initiatives are steering us towards this goal. However, abuse towards referees continues to affect referee retention, which hinders the progress we are making in this important area of football. We need the support of all our clubs to ensure zero tolerance is enforced towards referee abuse.

Firstly, our Club leaders can assist by continuing to educate coaches, players and spectators on the challenges involved with retaining referees in football as we all recognise their importance in the sport. It is vital that each Club creates an environment that supports referees and recognises their performances may vary, much the same as those of a Club's players and coaches each week.

Secondly, all involved with football in Victoria are encouraged to report anyone who directs abuse (verbal and physical) towards referees to discipline@ffv.org.au. Match day support for referees who find themselves the subject of abuse is also important.

Finally, we encourage all clubs to continue to provide FFV Referees with consistent feedback on the conduct and performance of all our referees, so we can continue to improve the standards that clubs expect each weekend.

This can be done by providing regular Referee Feedback by visiting www.ffv.org.au, selecting 'Competitions' and then selecting 'Referee Feedback'.

Only when FFV and all our Clubs are united in this regard, can we achieve the ultimate aim of maximising fixture coverage with referees of the highest standard.

Luke Brennan (FFV Referees Manager)

Paul Marazita (FFV Community Competitions Manager)

Liam Bentley (FFV Head of NPL)