European Survey Launched to Strengthen Recruitment and Retention of Young Sport Officials

The REFS project has launched a European online survey exploring the motivations, experiences and retention of young sport officials aged 14–20.

The initiative seeks contributions from all those involved in officiating roles (referees, umpires, judges etc.) across all sports, countries and levels The findings will provide an important evidence base to support federations, clubs and sport organisations in strengthening their officiating pathways.

Format: Online and fully anonymous
Duration: Approximately 10 minutes
Languages: English, French, Dutch and Spanish
Deadline: 31 March 2026

Share the link to the survey with young officials: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REFS

Building the Evidence Base

Across Europe, many sport systems report challenges in recruiting and retaining young officials. Concerns include early dropout, limited progression pathways, negative perceptions of officiating roles and increasing pressures at grassroots level.

The REFS survey is designed to move beyond anecdotal observations and generate structured European data on:

Motivations for starting officiating
Experiences within officiating environments
Barriers and challenges encountered
Factors influencing continuation or withdrawal

The research phase is being delivered in collaboration with Coventry University, who are leading the academic analysis of the data collected to produce a European research report. The report will inform the development of practical recommendations aimed at improving recruitment and retention strategies across the sport sector.

The REFS partnership encourages sport organisations, governing bodies, leagues, clubs and education providers to support dissemination of the survey through their networks and any young officials they can reach to ensure broad European representation.

Download survey flyer (PDF) and social media / article banners (PNG) for dissemination: