Throughout May and June, The FA is reviewing the impact of The Gameplan for Growth strategy on the women’s and girls’ game.

Launched in March 2017, the strategy pledged to tackle ambitious targets to double participation, double the game’s fanbase and create a high-performance system and world-class talent pipeline for England teams to achieve consistent success on the world stage.

After four seasons the strategy is now concluding, and in the coming months, The FA will outline its continued support for the women’s and girls’ game with the launch of the 2020-2024 strategy.

This week, The FA reviews how The Gameplan for Growth increased the number of female referees and raised standards throughout the women’s and girls’ game.

Please find below the results, a first-person narrative from Joanna Stimpson [The FA’s Women’s Professional Game Refereeing Manager] and the story of three different case studies who have flourished during the strategy.

THE PRIORITY:

The Gameplan for Growth committed to “increase the number and diversity of women refereeing the sport at all levels” by developing The FA’s refereeing structure.

RESULTS:

• 2,146 female referees across all levels of the game – 72% increase since 2016

• 63% of games in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League with a female referee in 2019/20, a20% increase over the last four seasons

• 55% of games in the FA Women’s Championship with a female referee in 2019/20, a 25%increase over three seasons

• The introduction of a match official evaluation system in the Barclays FA Women’s SuperLeague

• 98.3% of correct decisions made by match officials in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League

• 115 referees attending The FA’s Grassroots Development Day in 2020

• Four female referees and five assistant referees now on the FIFA list of match officials

Click here To Read Narratives & Case Studies