Football West have announced a new initiative to increase referee numbers for 2021.
From January of next year, new referees will be able to become registered match officials for only $150.
The initiative includes registration in a Level 4 course, as well as a referee starter pack that contains flags, a whistle, red and yellow cards and full uniform.
Previously, a match official would have to pay almost $600 to become certified.
Existing referees will be supported with a 25% reduction in their registration fees for 2021.
The news follows Football West’s reinvestment to clubs through the Building Stronger Clubs program, where the governing body assisted various projects worth over $100,000 in total.
“Football West has also constructed a Grants Hubs, a streamlined, one-stop location to find details of grants for eligible associations, clubs, coaches, referees, and players, to assist in their contribution to the World Game, with more than $3m of funding available for eligible activities,” a statement read on the organisation’s website.
Football West CEO James Curtis was adamant supporting referees in WA was crucial for the development of the sport.
“Referees are an integral part of the game in WA and being able to attract more referees and support their development will only make the game better in WA,” he said.
“This is just the first step of support for our referees, from those taking up the whistle for the first time, to those aspiring to officiate in the W-League and A-League and we look forward to closely working with our key stakeholders to bring these projects to life.”
