The Third Team

The Third Team helps develop Resilience, in turn improving Performance & Mental Health in educational institutions & for referees. #ResilientReferees

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Introducing our passionate Managing Director and active referee, Nathan Sherratt.

His journey inspires us to uplift referees, promoting resilience, mental health, and peak performance.

#ResilientReferees

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

The opening minutes of a match shape everything that follows.

How the first few decisions are handled tells players and club officials exactly what to expect. Clear, consistent officiating from the start creates a foundation that makes the rest of the game easier to manage.

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Referees often get told to “be consistent” but what does that really mean?

It means:

✅ Having clear habits

✅ Responding calmly under pressure

✅ Making decisions with focus and fairness

We help you build those habits without burnout.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Even the correct decision can be questioned if it is not delivered with conviction.

Strong positioning, clear signals, & confident movement all play a part in how decisions are received. When referees show certainty, it builds trust & reduces the likelihood of ongoing disputes.

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

When the noise gets loud, come back to your senses.

Feel your feet in your boots. Notice the contact with the grass or turf. Use that feeling to re-centre.

You’re not escaping the moment; you’re meeting it with more clarity.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

That’s a decision roughly every 22 seconds.

From fouls and advantages to positioning, communication and player management, referees are constantly processing information.

It’s a demanding role, both physically and mentally.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Some of the best decisions a referee makes are the ones that are not immediately obvious.

Allowing play to continue at the right moment shows an understanding of the game beyond just applying the laws.

https://t.co/0QowdDPeqY

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Reflection should help you improve, not make you feel worse.

Instead of asking, “What did I do wrong?”, try asking, “What can I learn from that?”

Curiosity keeps you open to growth. Criticism often keeps you stuck.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education #Resilience

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

A caution is more than just a card. It is a moment that sets tone and control.

How it is delivered can either settle a situation or inflame it further.

https://t.co/0QowdDPeqY

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education #Resilience #Referee

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Refereeing isn’t just physical. It takes constant concentration.

You’re reading the game, managing emotions, staying fair, communicating clearly, and making decisions in real time.

That mental energy adds up over 90 minutes.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Every referee needs a way to reset when the pressure rises.

Some use a deep breath.

Some move their body. Some rely on self-talk, which is about focusing on the next phase.

What works best for you during a match?

Drop your answer below 👇

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Despite the pressure and scrutiny, there is still something special about refereeing.

Moments where a game flows well, where a difficult situation is handled properly, or where everything clicks remind officials why they started.

https://t.co/0QowdDPeqY

#ResilientReferees

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Every referee gets decisions wrong. It’s part of learning and part of the game.

One mistake doesn’t define your ability, your progress, or your place on the pitch.

What matters is how you respond, reflect, and move forward.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Referees communicate long before they speak. Posture, movement, and body language all send signals to players and club officials.

https://t.co/0QowdDPeqY

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education #Resilience #Referee

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Confidence doesn’t mean thinking you’re above mistakes.

It comes from knowing you’ve prepared properly, understanding your role, and trusting yourself to handle the match in front of you.

Preparation gives you something solid to lean on when the pressure rises.

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Before you step onto the pitch, take a moment to:

✔ Check in with yourself
✔ Visualise those early decisions
✔ Give your mind something steady to come back to

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to work for you.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

When referees step away or take collective action, it is rarely about one isolated incident. It is often the result of a long period where respect has gradually worn away.

https://t.co/0QowdDPeqY

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education #Resilience #Referee

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

You don’t have to look confident every second to be doing a good job.

A lot of referees feel pressure to appear calm, certain, and in control, even when they’re struggling inside.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education #Resilience #Referee

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

The game no longer ends at full time.

Decisions now follow referees long after they leave the ground, often replayed and judged without context. It is easy to get drawn into that noise, but it rarely offers anything constructive.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Growth can be uncomfortable.

It often happens during the games that test your patience, confidence, and decision-making.

Those moments might not feel great at the time, but they often teach you the most.

#ResilientReferees #MentalHealth #Education #Resilience #Referee

[The Third Team @The3rdTeam]

Every referee needs a way to reset.

After a tough decision, a loud reaction, or a moment that knocks your focus, resetting helps you come back to what matters next.

It isn’t about ignoring what happened.

It’s about not letting one moment control the rest of the match.