ABSTRACT

Research question

The purpose of this study was to examine the talent identification and talent development experiences of referees in England. We explored with referees what they perceived to be the relevant strengths and weaknesses of the talent identification and development mechanisms utilised by football governing and development bodies in England. Currently, no research on the talent identification and development of football referees exists anywhere in the world.

Research methods

The paper employs a qualitative approach using thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews with 28 participants across four different County Football Associations (CFAs) in England were conducted. Referees on the development pathway and Referee Development Officers were interviewed.

Results and findings

Three overarching themes were identified; recruitment processes, talent identification and development, and support mechanisms. Opportunities for progression were affected by age, provision and quality of training, knowledge of the progression pathways, regional and national differences in both the recruitment and delivery of information regarding talent identification and development, and variability in the formalised support networks.

Implications

Organisations who identify and develop referees at varying levels should understand the barriers associated with maximising referee progression. FIFA, UEFA, national football associations, and regional referee organisations are aware of the diminishing refereeing numbers across football, and therefore effective identification and development of referees becomes even more essential. Governing bodies should recognise that the progression pathways in place have a significant impact on referee development and therefore a successful standardised approach is essential both nationally and internationally.

中文翻译：

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追求卓越：英格兰足球裁判人才的识别与培养

摘要

研究问题

本研究的目的是考察英格兰裁判员的人才识别和人才发展经验。我们与裁判探讨了他们认为英格兰足球管理和发展机构使用的人才识别和发展机制的相关优势和劣势。目前，世界上还没有针对足球裁判员人才识别与培养的研究。

研究方法

本文采用使用主题分析的定性方法。对英格兰四个不同郡足球协会 (CFA) 的 28 名参与者进行了半结构化访谈。对发展道路上的裁判和裁判发展官员进行了采访。

结果和发现

确定了三个总体主题；招聘流程、人才识别和发展以及支持机制。晋升机会受到年龄、培训提供和质量、晋升途径知识、招聘和人才识别和发展信息传递方面的区域和国家差异以及正式支持网络的可变性的影响。

启示

在不同级别识别和培养裁判的组织应该了解与最大化裁判进步相关的障碍。国际足联、欧足联、国家足协和地区裁判组织都意识到足球裁判人数的减少，因此有效识别和培养裁判变得更加重要。管理机构应认识到现有的晋升途径对裁判员的发展有重大影响，因此成功的标准化方法在国内和国际上都是必不可少的。