The Pembrokeshire Referees' Association recently welcomed as a guest speaker for their monthly meeting, Mr Eddie King. Eddie is one of the most respected FIFA assistant referees in Wales and was passing on his experience to local referees' with a view to cup semi-final and final appointments arriving on members' door-mats in the next couple of months. A large proportion of the association membership was present for the enlightening and informative address.
The next meeting, on Friday, March 12, will be a training session overseen by national referees' officer for Wales, Rodger Gifford. Once again an invitation is extended to any referee in Pembrokeshire, even though they are not members of the association. A warm welcome is also extended to the 18 newly-qualified referees who passed the course run by Pedr McMullen. To celebrate their achievements, light refreshments will be available.
Members were also delighted to learn of a sponsorship linking the association and fast food giants McDonalds who will be providing local referees with leisure wear. The sponsorship has also been successful in a Sportsmatch Cymru Award, which will see the association receiving an equivalent amount in money from the Sports Council.
Secretary Jonathan Twigg was delighted to acknowledge the support of McDonalds in helping grass roots sport.
"Not only will we be resplendent in the new leisure wear being provided, but also benefiting through a Sportsmatch Cymru Award, which will allow us to attend training seminars across the region," he said. "The hope is also to be proactive in meeting players and club officials over the next six months, thus allowing us to develop and cement relationships between the association and local clubs. It will also be a tool to get more people interested in becoming referees as there is a drastic shortage within the West Wales region.
"Eye sight and hearing tests, of course, would be mandatory, but there is a special camaraderie within the refereeing circles in which we wish to attract more people. Anyone interested in becoming a referee is welcome to contact myself, Pedr McMullen or Eddie Oliver."