Congratulations to Swansea Society Life Member, David Rees, on his recent appointment to a new role as "Commercial, Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Media Officer" with the West Wales FA.

The appointment does, of course, create a vacancy in the WWFA Referees' Officer role and applications are sought from those interested in the becoming the new Referees' Officer.

The job description is shown below. Anyone interested in the role should submit an application, together with a current CV, to the WWFA General Secretary, Ceri Richards (email: ceriwwfa@gmail.com)

Applications must be submitted no later than 4.30pm on Friday 25th August 2023

                                          West Wales FA Referees Officer

Job Description

Purpose of the Role

To Plan and implement the West Wales and FAW strategy for referees, recruitment and retention in line with the guidelines of the FAW Strategy for referees.

Job Description

• Organise Training Sessions for new referees, and inform the FAW Referees Manager
• Supervise new referees practical training sessions following the referees passing the online FAW referees Exam.
• Encourage each referee on passing the online course to become an active referee.
• Oversee an on-going recruitment and retention programme.
• Ensure referees seeking promotion receive the required number of Observations so that appropriate recommendations can be made to the Referees committee.
• Liaise with local leagues to ensure that those referees eligible and seeking promotion will be allocated suitable matches to be observed in, so as to identify if they have the potential to progress.
• Monitor all observations on Comet prior to distribution to the Referee.
• Organise in service training and education programmes for all registered referees on a regular basis.
• Organise fitness tests for those candidates for promotion through the grades up to grade Three (3).
• In conjunction with the referees committee, make recommendations to the FAW Referees

Manager of those referees considered to be suitable for promotion to the referees list of Tier 2 for each season so that they may be observed by the FAW Referees Observers to level two (2) of the Pyramid.

• In conjunction with the Referees’ Committee, and liaising with the FAW Area Referee Development Officer, to make recommendations for candidates to participate in the Area Referee Talent & Mentor Programme.
• Appoint match officials to all Area Association Cup Competitions and when required by the FAW Referees Manager to nominate referees / assistant referees to the FAW cup competitions.
• Establish a list of Observers & Mentors to undertake observations and mentoring duties and appoint them to observe candidates for promotion within the area.
• Provide an in-service training and education programme for all Area Association Assessors and to ensure that the candidate Referees are advised in a manner to enhance future performances.
• Use the Observation form and marking scheme as supplied by the FAW to facilitate a common approach with the other Area Associations.
• Undertake observation/mentoring duties and where appropriate monitor individual observers/mentors who may need guidance.
• Be a point of contact for Referees and Observers/Mentors within the area to offer advice when needed.
• Report to the WWFA Referees’ Committee and WWFA Council on all matters appertaining to refereeing within the region.

Supplementing the above FAW Job Description are the:

• Prepare minutes of WWFA Referees Committee and forward to General Secretary within 7 days of meeting.
• Investigate any issues reported by Clubs against Referees and report back to Referees Committee.
• Arrange personal hearings concerning refereeing misconduct where applicable after any appropriate charge has been laid.
• Prepare periodic schedule of observations completed within Area on Referees up to Grade Three (3) for meetings within season to monitor progress of assessing scheme.
  
• Prepare schedule for WWFA Referees Committee of Observations carried out on applicants for promotion and present the results thereof to the meeting.
• The Referees Officer will be an Officer of the WWFA and eligible to attend all Council and Committee meetings

The Referee’s Officer will be responsible to the General Secretary of the WWFA and hold a liaison brief with the FAW National Referees Manager.
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Key Areas of Accountability & Responsibility

• Reports to the WWFA General Secretary.
• Provide assistance to WWFA officers in planning and executing strategy’s regarding
  all matters relating to Referees.
• Work closely with the FAW regarding Referees Recruitment & Retention
• Provide assistance to new and existing referees within the West Wales FA
• Providing first class support to all referees as and when required;
• Assisting the WWFA personal in identify Referees further training needs; 
• Any other tasks relating to optimisation the WWFA referee development.
• Working on ad-hoc projects as and when requested e.g. working within the WWFA.
• Providing support and assistance to other WWFA departments as and when required.

The above list of accountability and responsibility is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties involved and consequently the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the role.

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Person Specification   

• Must have experience of refereeing
• Must be IT literate with experience of using Microsoft applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Show willingness to learn.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be self-motivated and demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrate flexibility.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and a methodical approach to work.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• The ability to deal with difficult matters professionally and in confidence.
• Demonstrate customer service skills, and patience in dealing with difficult matters.
• The ability to work as part of a team and without supervision.

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 Desirable

• Understanding of FAW COMET
• Experience of data entry
• Full driving license
• Knowledge and interest in football

Role Specific Requirements

• The appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.