This week in our primary school assembly and classroom discussion, we explore a groundbreaking moment in sport and reflect on the vital role referees play in making games fair and enjoyable for all participants. Female Referees Make History at the FIFA Men’s World Cup For the first time ever, FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) has announced that three female referees—Stephanie Frappart from France, Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda, and Yoshimi Yamashita from Japan—will officiate at the men's World Cup tournament later this year in Qatar. These trailblazing women are part of FIFA's official list of 36 referees for the tournament starting on 21st November 2022. Meet the Trailblazing Referees Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan) is 36 years old and has officiated at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. On her selection, she expressed “pride and responsibility.” Stephanie Frappart (France) is 38 years old and has been on the FIFA International Referees List since 2009. She was the first female official in a men’s Ligue 1 match in April 2019 and was the only female on her referee training course. Besides football, she enjoys skiing. Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda) is 33 years old. She became the first female referee at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, officiating a match between Zimbabwe and Guinea. She is also a qualified nurse and midwife, and originally wanted to be a basketball player. The Role and Importance of Referees Referees are responsible for watching games closely to ensure that all rules are followed, making the game fair and safe. They use various methods, such as hand signals, whistles, and direct communication, to convey decisions to players. Referees also keep track of time, scores, and key incidents during a match. In some sports, referees issue yellow and red cards to manage player behavior. For example, a yellow card serves as a warning, while a red card means a player must leave the game. Their role is essential in upholding the fairness of all matches, from professional football to friendly school games. Respecting Officials While players and spectators may not always agree with every decision, respect for referees is crucial. Without officials, many games could not be played safely or fairly. Reflecting on games we've played or watched, consider how referees contribute to the enjoyment and safety of sport. Sport as a Force for Good Sports have the unique power to unite people behind a common goal, promoting respect and tolerance across differences in gender, race, religion, age, and background. The inclusion of female referees at the men’s World Cup highlights progress towards gender equality and sets an inspiring example for players and fans alike. Discussion Points for the Classroom • What does a referee do in a game or match? • Have you ever disagreed with a referee’s decision? How did it make you feel? • Why is it important to respect referees, even when we disagree with them? • What values do we learn through sport, such as respect, honesty, and teamwork? • Can you think of a game you play that could be improved with a referee? Reflection and Activities Reflect on how referees help keep games fair and safe, and consider what qualities make a good referee. Discuss times when playing games has taught you about winning, losing, and handling emotions. Think about the importance of sporting values such as passion, determination, and teamwork, and how they help us both on and off the field. Classroom and Home Activities Design your own invasion game, considering rules, team sizes, and scoring. Create a poster sharing your sports values and what they mean to you. Talk about how different games use referees or rely on fair play from participants. Discuss which games you think need referees most, and why. Explore Further * Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample * Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss * Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
