Teen in the middle one answer to refs shortage

THE job of a football referee is regarded as one of the most difficult and at times unrewarding positions to fill in football. But not in the eyes of six local teenagers.

Matthew Rowland, Candice Simon, Adam Tardivel, Matt Lihou, Stefan Loveridge and Michael Gomes have all taken up the challenge and qualified, much to the delight of referees officer Graham Skuse.

'It's a light at the end of the tunnel after the past three years in the post, that these youngsters have shown the desired interest,' said Skuse.

After not getting the desired response from the schools with hand-delivered letters asking them to promote refereeing among students, Skuse used the careers convention at Beau Sejour as a platform.

'What we've tried to do is put together a more attractive package to prospective and present referees.

'Previously the furthest referees could go was the Rocquaine Regatta, but now we have referees going to the UK doing South-West Counties Cup and FA Vase matches, for example.'

'For these teenagers it also provides them with the opportunity to referee in the UK if they go to university in order to supplement their income as the qualification is national.'

Appointments officer Roy Bougourd sees the new referees as a great help in fulfilling fixtures.

'It allows us to use qualified officials in all Corbet Cup matches and now that the clubs have cottoned on to the fact that the youngsters can be used as linesmen for some of their other matches, it's brilliant because they don't have to struggle finding someone to fulfil the duty and it allows us to give the kids further experience,' said Bougourd.

Even parents are seeing the benefits.

'I've had couple of parents mention to me that since their kids have started refereeing, they've come out of their shell a bit more and have a greater confidence, so that can only be a good thing,' said Bougourd.

Lihou, 17, is enjoying his involvement and so far is getting a good reaction from players despite his age.

'I've always liked football, but was never that good at it.

'I was playing at Vale Rec and never getting in the team so to stay in the game and get more involved I took up refereeing.

'Some players have got a little annoyed at some decisions, but whatever decision I make it's always going to upset one of the teams and as long as I'm convinced it was the right decision, I don't mind and in general they've all responded well,' said Lihou.

The only girl among the new recruits is 15-year-old Simon, who, like Lihou, wanted to be more involved in the sport despite being a regular in the Rangers side.

She believes her highlight so far was the six-a-side mini festival in July.

'I've really enjoyed refereeing in the tournaments like the festival because you know that some of the Arsenal players that were playing are going to be famous when they're older.

'I would like to get to as high a level as possible but not to be a professional ref in the UK or anything. I just want to enjoy it,' she said.

The young refs are gradually being given more and more responsibility but at present are still under the individual stewardship of an older one who acts as a mentor at all their games.

Skuse wants to continue 'spreading the gospel' and to look down as many potential avenues as possible in attracting new and young referees.

'Hopefully, youth clubs and schools will start to identify the kids who maybe aren't the best players but love talking about and watching football, because it is these youngsters that we can encourage to become referees.'

He recognised that a number of the local officials were getting on a bit and admitted he would have no problem giving big matches to younger refs.

'If they're good enough, I'll give them the big games. If they're not good enough, I won't and I'll have no problem in telling them so.

'But at the moment the clubs keep coming to us and saying that the youngsters are improving all the time, which is great to hear. In fact only a week or so ago, two of them gave out their first yellow cards.'