📰 Ref4aDay Newsletter #1 – It’s Kick-Off Time!

NEWSLETTER #1 - 10/01/2025

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Co-funded by the European Union – Erasmus+ Sport Programme

We’re excited to announce the official launch of Ref4aDay, a European project that puts the figure of the referee at the centre of an educational journey about respect, empathy and civic values in sport.

🏁 Why Ref4aDay?In recent years, referees—especially in grassroots and youth competitions—have increasingly become targets of verbal abuse and social stigma. But referees are not enemies. They are educators, mediators and essential figures in promoting fairness and inclusion on the field.

⚽ What’s the idea?Ref4aDay invites young people, coaches and sport clubs to rethink the role of the referee. Through interactive workshops, a hands-on “Referee for a Day” experience and a communication campaign, we aim to transform the way referees are perceived—and inspire a new culture of mutual respect in sport.

🌍 Who’s involved?We are proud to bring together three committed partners:

🇵🇹 ADDJ – Associação para o Desenvolvimento do Desporto Juvenil (Portugal)

🇱🇹 Sportuokime Kartu (Lithuania)

🇮🇹 ASD Sparta Calcio (Italy – Project coordinator)

📅 What’s next?

We’ve just held our Kick-Off Meeting and can’t wait to start local activities in each country. Over the coming months, we will:

✅ Train educators and sport operators

✅ Develop and test the “Referee for a Day” format

✅ Launch a European campaign to raise awareness

✅ Build a digital Playbook with all the tools to replicate the initiative

🔗 Stay tuned!We’ll be sharing updates, stories and results along the way. Follow us on social media and help us spread the message: Respect starts when we change perspective.

👉IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE REF4ADAY NEWSLETTER, SEND US A MESSAGE!

👉 https://www.oltrenetworklab.com/ref4aday

Thank you for being part of this journey.Let’s blow the whistle on hate—and play fair, together!