England Football has announced 100 grassroots referees will wear a body cam while officiating football matches, with Liverpool part of the trial.
It is set to start this weekend in Middlesbrough and will be coming to Liverpool the weekend of March 4.
The trial is set to take place for referees in the Liverpool Old Boys Amateur League (LOBAL).
Greg McLean, LOBAL Secretary, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been chosen to play a part in this brand-new FA Pilot scheme on Referee Bodycams.”
BODYCAM TRIAL 👏
We are super proud to have been selected to take part in this world-leading #bodycam trial for grassroots #Referees.
We look forward to working with our officials, @Liverpool_CFA & the @FA @EnglandFootball
Find out more about the trial via the link below 👇 https://t.co/9atLggYFRh
— LOBAL (@livoldboys) February 17, 2023
The body cam trial is the first of its kind in the world with the aim to improve participant behaviour and respect towards referees.
The FA has partnered with Reveal Media, who produce the body cams, with four adult grassroots partner leagues across Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Worcester and Essex.
Referees taking part will receive the support, education and training required to use the bodycams effectively.
Benjamin Speedie, Liverpool County FA Referee Development Officer (RDO), said: “We are delighted to be involved in this trial and will be working very closely with LOBAL.”
This trial is a positive step in the right direction for referees within the grassroots game.
We spoke to a couple of referees at the end of last year about the concerns they face when officiating grassroots matches.
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(Featured image – pixabay image, free to use)
