A PLAYER with Wellington Association Football Club’s new Under 18s is taking steps towards his dream of becoming a full-time referee.

RJ Pattison has played throughout his youth and became a referee when he was 14.

He was named Somerset Young Referee of the Year last year and has also joined the Somerset FA Youth Council.

His proud mum Kelly says: “RJ has really enjoyed giving back to others through football and also coaches an 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.”

RJ will now implement a project to positively impact the community over the next 12 months.

He is also one of nine referees from Somerset who have been selected for the County Core referee programme.

Somerset FA Youth Council Chair and FALA 25 graduate, Georgia Purdy, said: ‘RJ this season has been a valuable member on 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.”

*Wellington Under 18s play in South Division of the Western Counties Floodlit Youth League, along with Axminster Town, Bishops Lydeard, Chard Town, Frome Town, Ilminster Town, Sherborne Town, Street, Willand.