When I first got involved with BAMREF, it wasn’t about sponsorship. It was about recognising how important support and representation are within refereeing.
This year, standing inside Meadow Lane for the BAMREF Conference, that feeling was even stronger. A room full of officials, mentors and leaders, all focused on how we make the game better and more inclusive. That’s something I care about deeply, both personally and through Centre Circle.
A Day That Carried Weight
We heard from Howard Webb, Akil Howson and many more excellent speakers, each bringing their own perspective and experience. The conversations were honest. They were real discussions about progression, opportunity and accountability.
It was also the first conference since the passing of Uriah Rennie. There was a poignant tribute to him during the day. For many in the room, he wasn’t just a former Premier League referee. He represented progress. He showed what was possible. He will be greatly missed.
Why This Matters to Me
Grassroots football doesn’t function without referees. And referees need support structures around them.
BAMREF provides that. It creates space for learning, for difficult conversations and for building confidence in officials coming through the pathway.
At Centre Circle, our role is practical. We focus on reducing admin, improving communication and bringing clarity to fixtures, reports and payments. But partnerships like this are about more than systems. They’re about backing organisations that are trying to move the game forward in the right way.
Continuing the Work
Sponsoring the conference for a second year wasn’t a commercial decision. It was a values decision.
I’m grateful to the BAMREF team for the work they continue to lead. And we’ll keep supporting efforts that strengthen refereeing at every level of the grassroots game.
