IFSO

What do the Council of Europe, Afcam , FIDE - International Chess Federation, European Rowing, FISU, FFT - Fédération Française de Tennis, IOC, Vrije Universiteit Brussels and the Spanish Olympic Committee have in common on 12 June?

They will all be in Ville d'Orléans to discuss the future of officiating.

The IFSO International Event will bring together experts, institutions, federations and referees from different sports and countries around three major themes:
⚖️ Gender Equality in Officiating
🌍 Diversity & Inclusion in Officiating
🧠 Psychology & Performance

An opportunity to discover inspiring initiatives, exchange experiences and build new international connections within the officiating community.

And because great discussions do not only happen on stage:
🤝 Networking lunch
🏛️ Free guided city tour of Orléans

Practical information:
🚆 Less than 1 hour from Paris
🚶 All venues within 10 minutes walking distance from the train station

Suggested trains:
➡️ Paris → Orléans: 08:22 or 09:12
⬅️ Orléans → Paris: 16:26 or 16:41

📅 12 June 2026
📍 Orléans, France

Register here:
https://d4345c41.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAPrOnkHvSt1geMDzrZN3Il-xVps25Af_rjHtqmuAYHpQyaZ9a2jjlRnpJImo8t2cZy7-xPdaiYvj7rGKqZuRheG9qllBuTIKQly_1mKmPtluYlaHZs6Xiio0r25kLPT9A_eIBzvp0lNXY5YjjbEdy-0ljhXqfquCiyKAJsw16Mk75irE6EXHMlYfMri7UX8QuuPIAzGqRoAljg==

YouRef ef is a European co-funded initiative bringing together organisations committed to developing refereeing.

Its goal: provide concrete tools to support young referees.

Link: sportacademy.com/product/basic-course-for-sports-officials/

Training is essential.
But supporting referees over time is what really matters.

YouRef offers a comprehensive approach:
✔ attract
✔ support
✔ retain

Access to the course:

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There is a growing concern across sports: fewer young referees.

But the real issue is not recruitment.
👉 It’s retention.

The YouRef programme provides practical tools to address both.

🔗 Access the course https://sportacademy.com/product/basic-course-for-sports-officials/

We often say: “There is a referee shortage.”

But shortage is not the problem.
Attrition is.

The REFS European survey examines:
– Motivation to begin refereeing
– Barriers faced by young referees
– Current experiences
– Future intentions

If we want sustainable officiating structures, we need evidence-based decisions.

Federations, referee commissions, education departments:
Mobilise your young referees aged 14–20.

Deadline: 31 March 2026
Survey in 4 languages.
EN: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REFS
FR: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REFS?lang=fr
NL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REFS?lang=nl
ES: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REFS?lang=es

The next generation of referees will not stay because we hope.
They will stay because we adapt.