The KDFRA has launched a new referee mentoring program for the upcoming season, aiming to increase support to their members on a more consistent basis.
The mentoring program will allow all KDFRA referees, irrespective of their age or experience, to be assigned a mentor for the entire season from a pool of referee assessors, instructors, and top local referees.
These mentors will be responsible for proving guidance and additional coaching throughout the season, and where possible, the mentor and mentee will be appointed to referee together.
“This program will allow some of our junior members to develop their communication skills, while enhancing their level of responsibility, in return for receiving greater guidance as a Referee,” explained Adrian Brett, KDFRA Co-Branch Coach and Registrar.
“We recognise that for new referees, especially juniors, the idea of refereeing a football match is extremely daunting, and we want to move away from that culture, making the transition for our new referees much easier.”
“Additionally, we want our referees who may have been refereeing for several years already, to not feel left out, and to have the same development and coaching as our new members have.”
The mentoring program will in turn improve the development and feedback process for local referees.
“We will be able to receive much more feedback on the performance and development of our referees, rather than just relying on the few assessors that we have on the park every weekend,” said Toby Plasto, KDFRA Co-Branch Coach.
“We can provide additional coaching and feedback where necessary, and promote the referees who are performing extremely well, based on the feedback we receive from our mentors involved in the program.”
KDFRA members wishing to join the mentor program can do so here.
For information about 2018 referee courses, visit www.kdfra.com.au/join/