New Look Referee Department
The Norfolk FA Referee Department will have a new look for the 2021/22 season
After 7 years of dedicated service, our current Referee Development Officer, David Robinson, officially retired from his role on 30th June. He has done an excellent job as RDO, developing and supporting the Norfolk Referee community and as such we are delighted that he will still continue to be a very important part of the team for next season as he will be undertaking match official appointments for Sunday football as our part time Referee Appointment Officer (Sunday).
Replacing David as Referee Development Officer is Harvey Newstead. Harvey has been an active member of the referee community for the past 6 years and a Norfolk FA employee for the past 2 years. Harvey is a Level 4 referee and is part of The National FA Core programme. He is also a Level 1 National List Futsal Referee, FA Referee Tutor / Developer and a member of the Senior Management Team of The FA & RA National Young Referee Development Team. He is also an active RA member and is Vice Chair of the Norwich RA.
We also have a new face joining the team from 19th July as we welcome Ryan Starkey as the Association’s newest staff member, taking up the role of Referee Appointment Officer (Saturday). Ryan is already heavily involved in Norfolk Football as a Level 5 Referee who currently does referee appointments for the Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League, as well as being an active member of the Yarmouth RA and Chairman of the Great Yarmouth & District Saturday League.
Speaking of the changes, Head of Football Services Matt Carpenter said: “The commitment that David has given to Norfolk refereeing over the past 7 and a bit years has been second to none and I thank him for his dedication to the role.
"2021/22 will mark the start of a new era for our Referee department and I am delighted to welcome Harvey to his new role as RDO and to welcome Ryan to the Association as our Saturday appointments officer. I know that all three are excited to get started in their new positions and I am very confident that the new look team will provide a fantastic service to Norfolk referees, both next season and beyond."