Launched last season at St George’s Park, ‘Our Whistle’ is a specialist refereeing training programme, designed to create stronger pathways into officiating for women and girls across the country. This season, we’re rolling the programme out nationwide through a series of in-person refereeing courses.

Courses will begin in locations including Essex, Manchester, and Birmingham, all of which are key target areas identified as part of the Women’s Game priority places strategy, which we’ll continue to use to pinpoint future locations. This approach will help ensure that women and girls from historically underrepresented communities can take their first steps into refereeing close to home, supported by a programme which reflects their cultural background and community. 

Each participant will receive a full refereeing kit, access to a dedicated mentor, and will take part in a comprehensive training journey that includes an online session, a full-day practical course, and a follow-up event after officiating five matches.

Upon completion, referees will be qualified to officiate at county and regional levels, with clear opportunities to advance through the leagues, with The FA supporting this progression.

More information on the courses including how to apply can be found here: The FA expands ‘Our Whistle’ initiative to deliver refereeing courses nationwide | England Football