Our CORE Group, invited via selection through our rigorous assessment criteria, will see a maximum of 15 match officials who we feel have great levels of potential to progress into and beyond the semi-professional game.

Each official will receive a referee coach and will be expected to keep in contact with their coach on a regular basis and take a real lead on their own development. Coaches will act as a key resource, offering experience, posing questions, and attending games during the season to best develop the match official.  

We completely understand that this programme will not be suitable for everybody, and the Referee Leadership team discussed in detail how we could continue to support our referees at all levels, beyond those who are selected for CORE.

We have decided that from 24/25 we will form new Development Groups aimed at those referees who wish to develop and progress in the grassroots game, with a view to them striving to be in the CORE group within a few seasons.