The Prince of Wales visited Sporting Khalsa FC to observe a referee training course this afternoon.
The visit was part of the FA’s Reflective and Representative campaign, which Prince William supports as Patron of the Football Association.
The campaign aims to recruit 1,000 people from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds into refereeing roles.
This initiative seeks to open up opportunities in football to young people from diverse backgrounds.
The Prince of Wales visited Sporting Khalsa FC to observe a referee training course this afternoon.
PA
The course began in July 2023 and combines theoretical and practical training.
It equips participants aged 14 and over with skills to referee mini football, 9v9 and 11v11 games safely and effectively.
During the visit, Prince William met representatives from the FA and Sporting Khalsa.
They discussed the importance of creating opportunities in football for young people from diverse backgrounds.
During the visit, Prince William met representatives from the FA and Sporting Khalsa.
PA
William then spoke with trainers of the refereeing course and professional referee Levi Gray.
The Prince heard about Gray’s career journey as both a referee and Lieutenant in the British Army.
William then joined a lesson with participants on the course and learned about the key skills involved in refereeing during this interactive session.
The Prince was taken onto the pitch to engage with different training stations.
The Prince of Wales is devoted Aston Villa fan and has attended several Champions League games involving the Birmingham-based team this season.
Reuters
He practiced essential referee skills such as whistle tones and flag signals alongside the course participants.
Finally, Prince William had the opportunity to practice being a referee in a mini football game.
He joined participants on the programme to apply the skills he had learned during the training session.
The royal’s attention will now turn to Aston Villa’s Champions League last-16 second leg match against Belgian side Club Brugge on Wednesday evening.
Villa go into the game with a two goal lead having won the first-leg 3-1 and will face either Paris Saint Germain or Liverpool in the quarter-finals if they make it through to the next round.
