FOOTBALL referees in Scotland will benefit from the continued support of Specsavers stores across the country.
Specsavers has announced that it has renewed its’ sponsorship deal with football referees in Scotland, marking 20 years of support and beyond for the partnership – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport.
Scottish FA referees Nick Walsh and Vikki Allan, Captain of Scotland’s Cerebal Palsy Football Team, Jonny Paterson, women’s footballer, Amy Newberry and Specsavers partner Ted Akil, all came together to make the announcement at Hampden Park, the home of Scottish football.
The significant six-figure deal will see the partnership run for three more years, not only helping with the training and development of referees, but in a new direction also helping to raise awareness of para football and grassroots football in Scotland.
Ted Akil at Specsavers says: ‘Specsavers is proud of our long tradition in backing Scottish referees, and today’s announcement not only marks our 20th year of supporting Scotland’s match officials, we are going further to help raise awareness of both para and grassroots football within the men and women’s game.
‘Since 2002 we have been committed to helping to provide grassroots training for potential referees, inspiring respect for match officials and making sure their vision and hearing are in top condition through regular sight and hearing tests carried out in our stores across Scotland. We look forward to continuing our partnership and to help promote the wider aspects of the game here within Scotland’s communities.’
The funding provided by Specsavers has been instrumental in helping ensure the flow of new referees into the Scottish game, with significant investment going into training and development all the way from grassroots to elite level.
The long-term deal has seen Specsavers provide funding for equipment and technology for match officials across the board, whilst over 5,000 referees have been trained since the unique relationship began in 2002.
Now, the new partnership will not only allow the Scottish FA to continue training and equipping referee’s over the next three seasons, Specsavers’ renewed sponsorship will look to raise the profile of both para football and the grassroots game within local communities in Scotland.
Head of Referee Development, Crawford Allan, says: ‘Specsavers have been a loyal partner of Scottish referees for two decades, with their continued support benefitting referees at all levels of the game.
‘The partnership has not only aided the recruitment and training of match officials, but the contribution from Specsavers also ensures our referees receive the necessary supporting materials, including training kit, match wear and technological and sporting equipment.
‘They have also supported our relationship with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, which has led to the recruitment of hundreds of young officials. This extension of our partnership will continue to support our officials at all levels of the Scottish game.’
