THE number of registered young referees in the Geelong region has received a major boost after a total of 11 participants completed a recent FFV Level 4 Referees’ course at the Surf Coast Football Club’s magnificent facilities in Torquay North.

Staged at Banyule Warra Reserve on Saturday 18^th June, course Instructor Ollie Gregorian was impressed with the laws of the game knowledge of the young participants. This laws of the game knowledge is the basis for the growth of a referee.

Amongst the course graduates was Mark Wyeth, who completed the course along with his two sons, Jack and Sam.

Asked why they decided to enrol in the refereeing course, Wyeth said it was the opportunity of earning some extra cash that ‘lured’ the boys.

“Both Jack and Sam love playing football on the pitch and Xbox. They are getting to an age where they want to earn a bit of extra pocket money and refereeing was a lot more appealing than working in a cafe or fast-food restaurant,” he explained.

“For my part, I've either coached or been an assistant coach for a number of years. Currently, I'm the assistant coach of my daughter’s U14 team and I'm regularly required to referee our home games.

“While I was confident I was doing an OK job, I decided to do the course to make sure I was doing it at a similar level to an official referee. Hopefully with more young referees coming through, though, I won't have to fill in too often in the future,” he chuckled.

According to Wyeth Snr, the trio found the course both interesting and challenging.

“We all learnt a lot that we didn't know and it was fun doing it as a family. The content is easy to follow and very thorough, while the instructor did a great job of keeping it interesting and at times amusing. He also helped with advice around how to manage the players and coach in a positive way,” said Wyeth.

His advice to other potential referee course participants?

“Take the time to learn the theory before the practical training and try to find a mate to do it with,” were Mark Wyeth’s words of wisdom.

The Level 4 Referees’ course was aimed at officials wanting to officiate in junior and youth matches. The program consisted of theory modules, practical sessions and practical mentoring in matches as a referee and assistant referee, with the accreditation lasting four years.

The FFV Referees Department is able to administer and provide instructors for any club wishing to hold a Level 4 Referee course (this is the introductory level course).

Clubs can host a course for 10 – 30 of their players, coaches, parents or volunteers. Any club which has less than 10 participants may wish to combine with another club. The cost is $125 per person.

Each course needs a classroom setting (club rooms) and a pitch so participants can complete the theory (3hrs) as well as the practical training (3hrs) components of the course.

If your club is interested in hosting a course please email referees@ffv.org.au with the details of the date and a booked venue for the course.