IFA REFEREES NEWSLETTER TOP AWARD FOR BASIL MARSHALL December 2015 Irish FA Referees Committee member, mentor and coach Basil Marshall has won the first ever Respect Award at November s Irish FA Community Awards sponsored by McDonalds. Basil won the award for his tireless contribution to local football in Fermanagh and his work with young referees within the Fermanagh & Western Referees Association. He is pictured receiving the award from Director of Football Development Michael Boyd. FUTSAL REFEREES REQUIRED In 2016 we are looking to recruit Futsal referees to officiate the quickly developing sport in Northern Ireland. We are looking for enthusiastic match officials who are willing to referee Futsal tournaments regionally in 2016 as well as taking part in workshops on Futsal coaching and refereeing. If you are interested please email referees@irishfa.com for further information click on the below link http://www.irishfa.com/grassroots/futsal/
Northern Ireland CORE candidates Arnold Hunter has received a number of EURO Qualifers and Europa League group games in 2015 FIFA NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED Congratulations to the following referees who have been confirmed as being part of the FIFA Panel of Match Officials 2016. Particular congratulations to Rachel Smith who becomes Northern Ireland s first female FIFA Official in over ten years and the four new officials on the list for the first time. Mens FIFA Referees Arnold Hunter (First) Raymond Crangle (Second) Tim Marshall (Second) Andrew Davey (NEW Second) Mens FIFA Assistant Referees Congratulations to Keith Kennedy, Stephen Donaldson and Paul Robinson who all recently attended the UEFA Certificate of Referee Education course in Nyon, Swittzerland. All three officials graduated from the course with a diploma, the highest award that can be achieved. All three officials officiated two games in France, completed the YoYo test along with other fitness requirements and achieved a high standard in all technical work. Congratulations to all three officials on their hard work. Richard Storey Gareth Eakin Stephen Bell Andrew Neeson David Anderson Paul Robinson (NEW) Stephen Donaldson (NEW) George Argyropoulos (NEW) Womens FIFA Assistant Referee Rachel Smith (NEW)
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to all officials who have been rewarded with regional semi finals and finals in 2015 below are some key appointments which will take place in December. DECEMBER APPOINTMENTS JBE LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINALS Semi Final 1 Ards vs. Coleraine Referee Keith Kennedy Assistants Gareth Eakin & George Argyropoulos Fourth Official Evan Boyce Semi Final 2 Warrenpoint Town vs. Cliftonville Referee Arnold Hunter Assistants Richard Storey & Roy Beacom Fourth Official Tim Marshall STEEL & SONS FINAL: Albert Foundry vs. H&W Welders Referee Stephen Taylor Assistants Darren Veighey & Joseph Wilson Fourth Official Shane Andrews BOB RADCLIFFE FINAL: Armagh City vs. Loughgall Referee Killian Kerr Assistants Ryan Kelsey & Aaron Graham Fourth Official Neil Robinson NORTH WEST CRAIG MEMORIAL CUP FINAL Referee John Deighan Assistants Gary Ewing & Richard Scott Fourth Official Hugh McElwee Keith Kennedy & Arnold Hunter will officiate the League Cup semi finals Killian Kerr (centre) & Ryan Kelsey (left)
National Development Group members at The Dub DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES AT NATIONAL & REGION- AL LEVEL The National Development group have met twice this year at The Dub and Antrim Forum the group has over 50 participants this year all at Junior & Intermediate level. They have engaged in sessions on fitness, game analysis, nutrition and technical referee instruction. We are starting to recruit members of both the National and Regional development groups for 2016/2017. Every area will have their own centre of excellent next season building on some great regional work already taking place. Pictured below is the Fermanagh Referees Young Development Group and a North West Development day with special guest Mark Halsey. If you are interested in joining the National or Regional Development group please email ltavinder@irishfa.com for further details you must apply to join the groups and pass a fitness test & laws of the game test. REFEREE STRATE- GY In 2016 the Irish FA will launch their first ever strategic plan for 2016-2020. The plan will be the framework for all referee development for the next four years. The strategy is being presented at your regional referee meetings so ensure you attend to ensure you have the chance to give feedback. Details of referee meetings are below. FWRA final Monday of each month Bawnacre Centre NWRA first Monday of each month Alexander Arms, Limavady NEURA Second Monday of each month CIYMS MURA first Monday of each month Banbridge Town FC FWRA Regional Development NWRA Development Day
EXCHANGE AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS We continue to work with other associations in providing exchange opportunities for all of our officials in Northern Ireland. Teams of officials have visited Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Luxembourg so far this season. Next year Junior & Intermediate officials will complete their exchange with the English FA as well as teams travelling to Manchester and the IBER Cup. At senior level our Exchanges with Malta and Wales will continue. Howard Webb & Darren Cann ready to Observe Andrew Davey and Team at the National Stadium SAUDI ARABIAN TEAM IS AC- COMPANIED BY WELL KNOWN FACES!! World Cup final officials Howard Webb & Darren Cann travelled to Northern Ireland with a team of Saudi Arabian officials for the recent friendly vs. Latvia. Howard is Referee Manager for the Saudi Arabian FA and observed a local team of officials and ran a development day for Championship officials alongside Darren. It was great to have their company and wealth of experience for the weekend. Kristian Hanna, Ian McNabb, Stephen Taylor & Paul Berry in Lithuania Team of Officials from Saudi Arabia who officiated the Northern Ireland vs. Latvia game
REFEREE SUPPORT TEAM In 2015 we have trained six new Referee Tutors, seven new Referee Observers and are set to commence a development programme for Mentors & Coaches. Our support team is a valued and vital part of refereeing and we are looking to support, develop and increase our team. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, observer or mentor please email referees@irishfa.com to express your interest MERRY CHRISTMAS All the team at the Irish FA wishes you a peaceful and happy Christmas period and looks forward to working with you in the New Year thanks for all your support in 2015. WHISTLEBLOWERS Referee in Northern Ireland took centre stage in a recent documentary. True North aired on BBC2 in November and foillowed Irish FA officials Raymond Crangle, Rachel Smith, Ian McNabb and Beth Roberts throughout the season, profiling the highs and lows of being a referee. The programme was viewed by millions of people and has attracted a lot of interest in people wanting to train to be a referee. The programme is still available to watch on the BBC IPlayer (see link below) also take 15 minutes to watch a profile of Fermanagh Referee Pat Chesters a true legend in refereeing in Northern Ireland. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06qr4dl http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p038wxfv Referee Pictures: Rachel Smith & Ian McNabb Highlights from 2015 Arnold Hunter takes charge of ROI vs. England, grassroots referees take part in a fitness test at Boys Model and Beginners complete their course at Shamrock Park