Most interesting; thank you for posting it. Could someone please explain how being in the Development Group differs from not being in it. I notice that there are officials at different levels in the Group. Does it mean that they receive special coaching, a different form of Observation, more likely to receive trial matches in a level above their present one ? These are just surmises on my part, if anyone can say definitively then I would be grateful.
What happened to the Talent Group ? Is the Development Group something similar under a different name ? If so it's a far better name. My place of work once threatened to bring in 'Talent Groups' which led some of us to say that if you weren't in it then you must be in the 'Talentless Group'. The idea was quickly scotched.
The officials are either 2b upwards or 1Ws for the Ref DG and Step 1 ARs upwards or WSL ARs for the AR Dev Group. I think all of the referees are on part-time contracts to basically make officiating a job rather than 'just a hobby', they also have coaches assigned (although all from 2b up do now anyway, but these coaches I believe focus on the Dev Group) and they are more likely to receive trial matches above their present level as part of almost fast-tracking their development. As people have noted, Farai, Ruebyn and Stephen Parkinson have all received National League appointments, Lewis Smith on the Football League, Rebecca Welch on the Championship.
The assistants are not part-time employees but get an annual retainer so that they can train more and again, specialist coaching and likelihood to receive those higher level appointments, Akil Howson and Bhupsy Gill have both had Premier League appointments this year and are part of the group.
The general idea was to identify referees who would be select group referees/assistants in the near future. I believe the next 3/4/5 years was the aim, hence inclusion of some like James Bell who is SG2, as well as those at 2b who may advance quickly through the ranks.