Premier League Football Referee supports new Sports Qualifications Project at Aylesbury College and Bucks New University
Howard Webb MBE, Premier League football referee, visited Aylesbury College on Monday (21 Oct). Howard, who refereed the 2010 World Cup Final, is lending his support to the College team and Bucks New University, who are working in partnership to design a range of new courses to meet the needs of Sports Officials across all sports.
Working with SOUK (Sports Officials UK) and BEST, (Buckinghamshire Education Skills & Training), the new qualifications will be designed to complement Sports Officials’ existing National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications in officiating. They will provide opportunities for on-going personal and professional development, and prepare retiring officials for employment in a new career. This approach very much embraces life-long learning and will appeal to people of all ages involved in sport. Students who have completed these qualifications will then be invited to participate in the MA Leadership & Management programme by Bucks New University and there will also be PhD opportunities.
The proposed new qualifications are:
- BTEC Sport & Officiating Award (designed & delivered by Aylesbury College)
- FDA Sport Management & Officiating Award (designed & delivered by Bucks New University & partners)
- BA (Hons) Sport Management & Leadership Award (designed & delivered by Bucks New University & partners)
Howard Webb MBE said: “I’m delighted to be here to lend my support to Aylesbury College and Bucks New University as they have signed up to the SOUK project. As well as ensuring our players have the best training possible, it’s equally important to ensure that those officiating in sport also have the correct training and support they need .”
Tim Keighley, Executive Director of Engagement & Business Development at Aylesbury College added: “We are delighted to be working with Sports Officials across the UK, and welcome the opportunity to deliver training in partnership with Bucks New University.”