MATCH officials across the county are being urged to put their feet up over the summer — but not for too long.

Essex County Football Association referee development officer David Dixon has unveiled a chain of sessions with respected men in black to ease referees back into the new season once their holidays are over.

Having covered thousands of matches since the beginning of the 2008/09 season around August of last year, Dixon believes Essex’s referee workforce deserve a spell on the sidelines to “recharge their batteries” during the warmer months, but is also aware of the dangers of ceasing physical activity completely.

“During this period of rest, which should last between two and four weeks, it is important that some form of low intensity activity is undertaken once or twice a week,” said Dixon.

“These should be different from those used to referee, such as swimming, tennis, badminton or golf.”

Traditionally, football participants opt for time away from the game around this stage of the year as the majority of leagues and competitions have reached a climax and plans are made for other pastimes.

“A rest period after the end of the season is required in order to provide a referee with an opportunity to recharge their batteries. On the flip side of this, with well-earned rest comes the physiological process of de-training.”

De-training occurs whenever there is a reduction or complete stop in physical activity such as refereeing or training and, as a result, there is a reversal of all these benefits and gains.

According to Dixon, after a rest period, focus should be placed on the new season and efforts should be made to reach the appropriate levels of fitness for the type of football officiated on.

With this in mind, the ECFA will be scheduling pre-season fitness sessions, which have been organised around the county starting in the first week of June.

Situated in Southend, Basildon, Dagenham, Chelmsford and Colchester, referees in all corners of Essex will have the opportunity to take part.

The fitness sessions will take place at the following venues: Colchester (University of Essex) on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm with Simon Essex. Basildon (Gloucester Park) on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm with Mike Smith. Dagenham (Mayesbrook Park) on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm with Lloyd Wood. Chelmsford (Melbourne Park) on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm with Thomas Ramsey. Southend (Eastwoodbury Lane) on Tuesday evenings from 8pm with James Masson.

All sessions start the week commencing Monday, June 8. They will be staged in public parks with no changing facilities, therefore there is no charge.