Football Victoria (FV) has rolled out an innovative bodycam pilot for referees in grassroots football, making it the first state or territory in Australia to participate in this initiative.
This trial is part of a global initiative approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to see if body-worn cameras can help reduce abuse, encourage better behaviour, and make referees feel safer.
Supported by Football Australia and in partnership with Reveal Media, the pilot builds on a successful 2023 trial.
In that earlier run, 66.1% of referees said player behaviour improved, and 57.1% felt the cameras helped cut down on abuse.
Notably, there were no reports of physical abuse during the trial, even though more than half of the referees had experienced it in the past.
Many also found that simply warning players they were about to activate the camera helped calm things down.
This is a tightly controlled trial under IFAB’s guidelines, meaning strict rules are in place.
Referees will only wear cameras in approved grassroots competitions, and they’ll only turn them on in serious situations such as if there’s a threat to safety or major misconduct.
All video is owned by the national football association, kept encrypted, and deleted within 60 days. Referees receive training on how to use the cameras and must let players know before activating them.
Only authorised people can review the footage, and only in cases involving serious incidents. Around 100 grassroots referees across Victoria will take part in this first phase.
They’ll be supported with training and resources, and if the trial goes well, the program could roll out to more adult grassroots leagues in 2025.
FV CEO Dan Birrell shared some details regarding the bodycams before their launch.
“We invest significantly in Referee Development and truly value the incredible work of our referees every week,” he said in a press release
“The launch will coincide perfectly with the start of our community competition season, so we’re looking forward to seeing the cameras in action right away.”
FV Head of Referees, Tony Peart shared his delight with the new initiative.
“I’m absolutely delighted our referees are the first in the country to trial bodycams and support this important national project,” he said in the same press release
“This trial could be key to enhancing protection for officials and improving the environment in which they officiate.”
Football Victoria will keep tracking and assessing the trial’s impact to strengthen its dedication to creating a safer and more respectful football community.
