The Prince of Wales visited Sporting Khalsa FC in Willenhall in the West Midlands, to attend a FA Referee Training Course as part of their Reflective and Representative campaign.
The Prince had been President of The Football Association since 2006, but took on the role of Patron last year. The role was previously held by Elizabeth II. Due to William being highly active within the FA, they have not begun actively search for a new President.
The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Football Association, during a visit to a referee training course at Sporting Khalsa FC as part of the FA’s Reflective and Representative campaign. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
The FA’s Reflective and Representative campaign aims to recruit 1,000 people from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds over the next three years into referee roles.
The referee courses combine theory and practical training to support those who are taking their first steps into officiating. Since the campaign began last year, over 900 people have accessed a referee course via the campaigns bursary scheme.
Prince William received a warm welcome from local schoolchildren. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Upon his arrival, William was warmly met by children from Fibbersley Park Primary Academy. The Prince took time for plenty of hellos and even a few hugs.He joked how he had probably ‘broken the record for the most amount of high fives in 10 minutes’.
With chants of ‘Prince William’ being heard from the students, the group had come prepared with Union Jack flags and posters, with one sign saying ‘Aston Villa is the best’, in a clear reference to the team supported by William.
A round of hugs was on the cards for Prince William at the start of his visit. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Making his way inside, he was joined by professional match official Levi Gray, who was part of the officiating team for the 2024 Women’s FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. They met with representatives from the FA and Sporting Khalsa to hear about their involvement in refereeing and the importance increasing opportunities in football for young people from diverse backgrounds has.
The Prince joined in on a lesson with those taking part in today’s course, where he learned about the different types of fouls and when you should produce a yellow or red card. Nothing too alien to William, a massive football fan and Aston Villa supporter; he also had a go at the various skills referees and other officials use to communicate throughout the game, such as different whistle tones and flag signals.
Prince William had the the opportunity to practice being a referee in a mini football game alongside participants on the programme. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
His Royal Highness then joined a lesson with participants on the course and learned about the key skills involved in refereeing. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
To make sure that he was paying attention, The Prince’s newly learned skills were put to the test as he joined the rest of the participants in referring a mini football game.
There is no doubt he will be watching the referee and officials at Villa Park more closely next time, knowing all he knows now.
The engagement comes a day after William joined his wife and other senior members of the Royal Family at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
