Anyone got a teenage football referee?

[beenrumbled]

I do, and wondered if anyone else out there is as torn as I am watching him.

I honestly think its harder to watch him referee than it is him play football. And that's saying something as he is a goalie so can get loads of grief anyway!

Ds(14) plays footie and one of the referees they get is a 6th year at his school. I have always thought as ds isn't that skilled at footie it would be a good thing to get into and the young refs must learn so many life skills from it.

The young ref does get the usual chat back from the players and even more from some of the parents, but he handles it really well, going up to the parents and telling them to behave or even telling them they have to leave it they are being or of order. Luckily most parents might be mouthy but comply, the coaches will back the ref as they run the risk of being disqualified of reported to the syfa.

I have. I can't watch. Listening to fully grown men abuse your ds at the top of their voice is en masse while he is working is not something I can stand back and watch.
Can you imagine any other industry where we'd put up with standing and listening to one of our kids getting verbally abused while they earn a few quid?
I've been once and I've had to stay away as I have a primal urge to go over and nut them
I am so proud of my lovely ds and how he handles himself though but I rely on him and DH telling me how it's gone as I don't fancy getting locked up.

GinandGingerBeer it's really hard sometimes - he is nearly 16 so this is his second season, and he referees 2 games for under 11s on a Saturday. He will probably move up another year group next season. I have to stand away from the other parents and bite my tongue!

It's good money and he loves it - he would like to progress, but I have to admit there are a few parents and even a couple of coaches that were lucky not to be on the receiving end of a Glasgow Kiss from me!

WeAllHaveWings it is definitely worth investigating - try contacting your local FA!

DS also still plays football for his own club on the day he does not referee, but he has said he may give up playing to referee both days from next season. He does want to progress through the refereeing levels, but he loves a game of football!

The abuse he can get seems to slide off him - nothing seems to stick. His mates call him "Tefal" .

A few of his mates do it too - it's great for teaching conflict management and communication/people skills, and I can see his confidence growing all the times.

He wants to referee a world cup final.