The Referee is one of the most important roles within the GAA without whom there would be no games played. In Tyrone, each Club is required to have a named Club Referee. This year we are actively promoting Referee training for any of our members who wish to take on a new challenge. See below letter from Tyrone Referees Administration Committee.
We are running training courses at the start of March for potential new referees. These would be based over 3 nights and would provide training and support for potential referees. New referees would be given mentoring and would start to referee at youth level with a progression over time to senior. Enrolment for this course will be open until Friday 27th February 2015.
The criteria is for candidates that are 18 and over and have an interest in refereeing
Ideally every club should have 2 referees. We are aware that some clubs within the county have this in place, but we are also aware that some clubs have no representation at this level. Referees are an important factor within the Gaa structure and in Tyrone numbers have been dropping over the last number of years due to retirement and injury. . Last year we recruited 4 new referees and at the same time we have seen the retirement of 6 referees top referees. This has been the scenario over the last number of years. We as a committee can only do so much; the responsibility falls solely with yourselves the club. I ask yourselves if a game hadn’t a referee where would we be?
A referee is as important to a club as a player and the same emphasis should be put on the club committee to identify a person within that club that has the qualities and ability to fulfil the role and represent his club in our game at all levels. Ideally we ask that you look at retiring players; somebody who has the right resolve and temperament with an experience of the game. We also ask you to look at your Minor teams and identify the players who might not progress to playing at senior level.
As it stands we may struggle to fulfil all fixtures on the first day of the Adult League Season. Sanctions could have to be put in place regarding clubs who have no representation at refereeing level.
We ask you not to dismiss our concerns and give this issue immediate attention, as we would like every club to have a new referee nomination by the 27th February 2015. We also require you to submit the names of your current referees for the upcoming season
If you’re interested in becoming a Referee, please contact any committee member or message us on Facebook.
