Referee’s Academy phase 2

Holy Trinity Secondary School Cookstown hosted the second phase of the Tyrone Referees Committee’s approach to encourage young whistlers to take up the challenge of becoming part of the Tyrone Referees Youth Academy. In conjunction with the Tyrone Coaching & Games Development Committee the Referee’s Committee are running a series of recruitment drives within our Secondary & Grammar Schools in Tyrone were any willing volunteers with an interest in joining the Young Referees Academy go through a basic Referees introduction course which allows them to officiate at Secondary & Grammes School Blitzes as well as the Tyrone Go Games.
On completion of this basic introduction level to refereeing those wishing to progress can join the next stage of the Academy and undergo the formal Foundation level Referees Course and Rules test which will allow them to officiate at U.13 & U.14 levels. Following this further progression can continue to move on to Juvenile and Minor grades. The clear Pathway is now in place for younger Referees to progress to becoming not just good Club Referees but there is now the opportunity to move on to officiate at both County and Provincial levels and then hopefully on to National level.
To date the initial phase of the Young Referees Academy unearthed 6 up and coming young Referees who have all taken charge of quite a number of matches during this year’s U.13 League.
The Referees Committee hope to carry out similar type courses in the Schools in Strabane,  Coalisland and Dungannon.
Next week the latest stage of the promotion and recruitment drive heads to the Holy Trinity School in  Strabane.
Speaking after the Cookstown event, Tyrone Referee’s Administrator Eugene McConnell commended the 18 Young boys and Girls who under took the Referees Introduction Course. They all showed great enthusiasm and it’s events like this which helps to move any barriers and fears which young recruits may have about pursuing a career path in Refereeing.
Eugene went on to thank Peter Canavan,  head of sport in Holy Trinity for allowing the Referees Committee & the Coaching and Games Development into the School to conduct the course. He also extended thanks to Coaches Ryan Daly & Ronan Devlin for all their assistance in helping deliver the Course.
In the Photo are the 18 Young recruits from a number of Clubs within the East Tyrone catchment area as well as Coaches Ryan Daly and Ronan Devlin plus Tyrone Referees Administrator and Referees Chairman Eugene Mc Connell