On 26th January 2020, North East Wales Football Association along with North East Wales Referees' Association went live with their PROTECT OUR REFEREES initiative.

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Each referee aged between 14-17 years old will be issued with a yellow arm band with the wording U18 REFEREE on it.  This is to identify the referee as a child.

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We try to protect our junior referees and keep them in the game as long as possible and not expose them to abuse from disgruntled managers, coaches and parents alike, even at times players.

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Any form of abuse has to be reported, this includes opposing managers, coaches and also parents.

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We cannot put the onus on a child to report this abuse, adults need to step up to the mark.