AS part of the Somerset County League's commitment to providing a better service to its Member clubs they are sponsoring training for new referees, who in exchange will commit to acting as Assistant Referees on the Leagues step 7 Division (the Premier Division) at least twice per month.

The finance for the training has been provided as part of the FA's funding to the step 7 Division and will enhance the position of that division within the National League System. Additionally the provision of Assistant Referees will help the development of the officials who operate on the League's Premier Division and also benefit clubs seeking to progress to step 6.

The League will fund the training of about 40 referees, who either attend the course to be held at Glastonbury over 2 weekends in July or who attend courses at one of the other centres organised by Somerset FA.

The funding is intended, where possible, to financially assist those who find difficulty in funding the referee training course themselves. However no committed applicant will be excluded on financial grounds - there is no means test.

The scheme will allow the League to use 18 referees per week on its step 7 Division games - and hopefully the remainder in the pool will officiate on their spare weeks on the local leagues.

Applications are invited from anyone over the age of 16 who wishes to pursue a career in refereeing.

The co-ordination for the scheme is being carried out by Keith Buller, Referee Development Officer at Somerset FA.

Anyone who is interested should contact Keith on keith.buller@somersetfa.com.