Drive to lure more people to refereeing

Footballers who have not made the grade should be a strong candidate to join the ranks of the refereeing community. This way they will not only continue to give their contribution to the sport but will also form part of that sector of the game which provides and inspires leadership.

The Referees Board of the Malta FA is once again organising a course for prospective referees as it is important to have a sound base of young officials to ensure a constant flow to the various leagues.

National associations rightly expect to have referees and assistant referees appointed to their matches. This is why the number of qualified officials on the books of the MFA is never enough.

There are benefits for those who manage to climb the promotion ladder. Only a few days ago we celebrated a historic moment when Esther Farrugia swapped the goalkeeper's jersey for a referee's whistle.

She ran onto the field as the first ever woman to run the line in a Premier League match. Farrugia started as a young trainee and worked her way up through the ranks. I am sure that she will continue to taste success in future.

Those on the FIFA Panel today all started refereeing in the Youth Leagues. Now, they are the respected leaders on the field of play.

Joe Attard, Adrian Casha, Anton Zammit and newly-appointed Chris Lautier have already given sterling service to the game and will continue to do so.

Prospective referees will also have the opportunity to officiate with those who they have seen on television or read about in newspapers. The same as the Collinas of this world, each and everyone of our senior referees have their admirers.

Some of these may decide to take up the whistle and with the advice of their heroes take the first steps to fame. We have referees from all walks of life and this is what gels them together as a team.

Besides actually serving the game on the field of play, trainee referees will take part in monthly instructional meetings where various points of the Laws of the Game are discussed.

As of this year the Referees Board, through its Coaching, Schooling and Training sub-committee, has started to organise seminars for younger referees. The first was held last month with another planned for August.

New entrants become members of the Malta Football Referees Association who work towards helping to mould trainee referees into a mature group within the organisation.

The president of the MFA is a full member of the Referees Board and so the interests of each and every referee may be protected if the need arises. They also have every opportunity in taking part in decisions to consolidate the achievements of the Association and to meet other members and their families socially, so it is not all work and no play.

The MFA hopes to attract both men and women to take up the whistle and to prove themselves as leaders by making decisions, which on many occasions can be vital.

They must be of sound character and prepared to take decisions without fear or favour.

Anyone interested is urged to contact the Head of the Referees Department, Tom A. Restall on e-mail tom.restall @mfa.com.mt or by letter at 280, Triq San Pawl, Valletta.