NEW COURSE INFORMATION
SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION REFEREES
(EDINBURGH & DISTRICT)

Fancy becoming a referee?

There has never been a better time to become a referee. For most referees who are interested in working in the minor leagues there is no shortage of appointments at all levels of minor football.

On the other hand, for those who want to make a career out of refereeing there is hardly a week goes by without Scottish officials jetting off for international appointments. There is clear career path and those with the right attitude, abilities and determination can reach the top level of domestic and international football.

At this end of this season Referees from the Edinburgh and District Referees’ Association were again involved in a number of excellent matches and finals at all levels. This year Keith Sorbie acted as an Assistant Referee in the Scottish Cup Final. Furthermore all Edinburgh’s Class One officials have featured in the SPL this season and many have represented the association and their country in international matches

The new entrants class is the only route to get to the top in Scottish Refereeing, so come along and give it a go!
Classes are open to anyone over the age of 16 and are FREE of charge.

Edinburgh Autumn Class

The course will run over ten Monday evenings from 3 September to 19 November (off 17 September and 15 October) at the Tynecastle High School, McLeod Street, Edinburgh.
The course will run from 6pm to 9pm on each evening. The course if FREE to new entrants.
It has once again been a super season for the Edinburgh Referee’s Coaching Team and head coach Neil McLennan. Last year the association trained over 60 new recruits many of whom are now active in local youth and amateur leagues. Furthermore the Association had two promotions to Category One, Thomas Robertson and George Salmond. A super clutch of cup final appointments also came the direction of the Association.

Neil McLennan added, “Edinburgh Referees have continued to go from strength to strength at all levels with some super appointments overseas and domestically. Coaching has been a prime focus for the Association over the past few years and it was great to see 50 new recruits arrive on the first night of the Midlothian class. Referee Coaching and Development has never been better. Fifty grassroots referees attended a successful seminar last season led by SPL referees whilst all 300 Edinburgh Referees have access to top quality coaching each month at the association meetings. To top it all, Category One and Academy Referees were fortunate enough to have a super coaching experience over the summer when Pierliuigi Collina led a coaching group into tactical match preparation at our annual conference in St Andrews. All of these events underline the commitment to instructing, coaching and mentoring referees at all levels to achieve their ambitions. With the right attitude, abilities and determination who knows where it could take you?!”

New entrants who wish to reach these top levels or want to put something back into the game at the minor grades level need first to attend this new entrants course. The course is run by a highly professional coaching team with input from current and former referees at all levels of the game. Once qualified new referees receive a Support Officer who is an experienced referee who will coach them and assist them in the early stages of their career.

West Lothian Friday Evening Class

This will run at Deans Community High School in Livingston (just off junction 3 M8) for nine Friday evenings from 3rd August to 28th September (6.30pm to 9pm).
This course will run at Deans Community High School which is easily accessed from the A71 or from the M8 J3. Previous midweek courses at this venue have been highly successful and it is hoped that this course will once again attract high numbers.

Coach Neil McLennan added, “Referees from the West Lothian area have again enjoyed a highly successful season with some super appointments in the cup final stages. Keith Sorbie acted as an assistant referee in the Scottish Cup Final. Graham Chambers had two super appointments officiating at both the SFA Youth Cup Final at Hampden and at the Scottish Junior Cup Final. In the Youth set up Scott Townsley ran the line in the U17s Scottish Cup Final and Christine McLure picked up three separate appointments to Scottish Girls Cup Finals. All of these are super achievements are only the tip of the iceberg as far as refereeing appointments from Edinburgh and the Lothian go. Anyone who wishes to be part of this success and to reap the benefits of the coaching course should book a place asap as there is likely to be keen demand. Previous courses in West Lothian have been very popular.”

Further classes in Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Borders will be arranged in due course. Details of all classes are posted on our web site: www.edinburghrefs.com

All enquiries regarding the Edinburgh and West Lothian class should be direct via email to Neil at coach@edinburghrefs.com.
Telephone enquiries regarding the Edinburgh class can be made to Dave Gordon on 0131 660 1078
Telephone enquiries regarding the West Lothian class can be made to Graham Chambers on 07967 737 969

Neil McLennan
Coaching Coordinator
Scottish Football Association Referees, Edinburgh and District.
coach@edinburghrefs.com