RJ, a 16‑year‑old from Taunton, Somerset, began refereeing at 14 and now regularly officiates both youth and adult matches across the county. His dedication earned him the Somerset Youth Referee of the Year award for outstanding contribution to youth football.
Teachers and the Somerset FA praise his confidence and responsibility, noting he is a rare example of a teenager officiating adult games. The FA aims to encourage more young people to train as referees, citing discipline and confidence as key.