Northern Counties Roller Hockey Association are pleased to announce that they have never been so well off for referees numbers with a big influx of new provisional referees officiating alongside the more experienced.

Current players, Ciaran Condron, Ryan Chambers, James Hall and Gareth Cook have been joined by club members Garry Reynolds and Dave Fothergill in taking up the whistle on a regular basis after passing their provisional examinations. Furthermore the N. R. H. A. Referee Executive has now granted Dave a promotion to Grade 3. Awaiting in the wings to join the ranks are 3 further current senior players

“Maybe, just maybe the encouragement given to clubs, parents and players emphasising the necessity to develop numbers of referees is working, now we as a region along with other regions and individuals need to press the National body to have development days in order that these new and current referees can improve and develop.” Quoted a member of Northern Counties executive

The system of appointments being used by Northern Counties this season is working very well to date. NCRHA appoint 2 referees who are eligible for claiming expenses with the clubs having to supply at least two further “volunteers” to double referee throughout the tournaments. In practice though these extra referees have been “appointed” from the provisional referee list to give them experience, with clubs still supplying others.

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Reporter: Kos Galtos