A rising football referee in Somerset is gaining recognition for his dedication to the game.
RJ Pattison, a player with Wellington AFC’s new under-18s team, began refereeing at 14 and has since earned the title of Somerset Young Referee of the Year.
He also sits on the Somerset FA Youth Council and coaches a girls’ under-14 team in Taunton.
Kelly Pattison, his mother, said: "RJ has really enjoyed giving back to others through football and also coaches a U14 girls’ team in Taunton.
"He was very lucky to be one of 60 young people selected to attend this year’s FALA [FA Leadership Academy] and has just completed a week’s residential."
As part of the programme, RJ will deliver a community project over the next 12 months.
He is also one of nine Somerset referees chosen for the County Core referee programme.
Georgia Purdy, chair of the Somerset FA Youth Council, said: "RJ this season has been a valuable member of our Youth Council, sharing his experiences and knowledge as a young referee in the game.
"He is a youth leader who is passionate about driving positive change within the game.
"We are super excited to see him develop and grow as he embarks on this 12-month FA Leadership Academy, developing a project and growing his leadership skills."
“He has represented our Somerset FA Youth Council at FALA this year as a participant, so of the six years the event has run, we have been present at five.
“This shows the commitment Somerset FA has to empowering their youth leaders on a national scale.”
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