IT’S not often that referees officiating local football matches at any level earn the plaudits of players, coaches or spectators, but one novice whistleblower on the weekend was on the end of some glowing praise from the parent of a North Geelong NPL junior.

Mike Chapman, who is well renowned in local coaching circles as one half of the GOFC Coaching setup, was watching his son’s U14 NPL junior game against Ballarat City on Sunday at Elcho Park.

So impressed was he by the young, first year referee that Chapman felt compelled to send in an official letter of praise to the local Referees’ branch.

“This morning at my son's U14 NPL game at North Geelong, we had young lad called Jacob referee the game. Upon talking to his dad, I found out he is quite new to the job but enjoys what he does,” said Chapman, who is also heavily involved with a number of clubs around the Geelong region as well as co-administering the Geelong representative teams at this year’s Victorian Country Championships.

“I'd like to pass on some positive feedback from the game. Jacob officiated the game very well, indeed his speech to the teams pre-match was spot on and his decision making during the game was great. He let the game flow when needed and also pulled up fouls when needed too.

“I understand refereeing is a tough job, made even harder with outside influences from coaches and parents of both sides. I did make a point of congratulating him on a good game post match but if you could pass on this information I'd greatly appreciate it,” Chapman concluded in his letter to Steve Kolar, the representative of the local Referees’ body.