Source: Daily_Mail
Who'd want to be a ref? Sportsmail uncovered the next generation...
Thierry Henry's handball against the Republic of Ireland showed areferee's life has never been harder and Martin Hansson even consideredquitting after missing the incident in Paris. It begs the question: Whowould want to be an official? And if you are crazy enough to want to,how do you go about it? [LNB] Trouble spot: Given and St Ledger protest to Hansson after Henry's handball[LNB] Henry could be hit by World Cup ban as FIFA refer handball to disciplinary panelFormer referee Pierluigi Collina boosts calls for FIFA to turn to video technologyWiley reveals torment over Fergie jibe but vows not to sue Man United bossShock horror! Sir Alex Ferguson backs referee over Gary Neville red cardTHE SCHEME [LNB]Volunteer former and serving officials are trying to guide a new generation of referees to the top in 49 referee schools around the country. There is one for every county FA, plus the academies attached to clubs such as Aston Villa and Fulham. [LNB]They have grown rapidly over the last five years and are designed to give budding officials a chance to develop, offering guidance and protection. Most have a group of 18 to 25-year-olds and there are 1,100 referees involved from a total of the 24,000 registered. [LNB]Two graduates of the schemes are Stuart Attwell and Michael Oliver, both of whom have made it on to the national list. [LNB]Le hand of God: Ref Hansson considered quitting after missing Henry's handball[LNB]THE EXAMPLE [LNB]The best of the academies, apparently, is at Charlton, where they hold monthly meetings, use the young referees to take charge of youth games and have a system providing mentors and instant feedback. [LNB]There are fitness assessments, academy matches are divided into quarters and the officials are assessed in the breaks. [LNB]Jeff Pettitt, a former Premier League linesman, started the academy with a £1,000 grant from the FA a decade ago and still runs it. He said: 'We take young referees in and show them what a Premier League official does. We have got 27 officials ranging in ages from 15 to 23 and we encourage them to act like top-flight referees. 'We are trying to raise standards. The players are learning and the referees are too. The club has a code of conduct so there are not any parents getting in their faces and no one leaves because they have been beaten up - physically or mentally.' [LNB]THE YOUNG REF [LNB]Chris Price is a 5ft 5in, 18-year-old sixth-former who, like many of his peers in the academy, takes charge of games in the local men's leagues a couple of times a month. [LNB]He said: 'The academy has taught me so much in a couple of years. Technical parts, positioning, the system and moving on within it. You cannot learn about dealing with adults but it prepares you for everything else. 'I played football until a couple of years ago but I always liked the idea of refereeing. Maybe I wanted the authority, to control the game. We used to get some dreadful refs and I thought, "I can do better than that". [LNB]'I took my first test when I was 14 and have had some interesting games outside the academy. At the end of one difficult match all the home team ran for me and I locked myself in the dressing room. People were banging on the door and threatening me. [LNB]'Games like that make you ask whether it is worth it, but most of them are OK and after playing, refereeing is the next best thing.' [LNB]THE ACADEMY DIRECTOR [LNB]Steve Gritt, the former Charlton player and joint-manager, oversees the development of the club's youngsters. [LNB] Gritt and determination: The former Charlton player oversees the academy[LNB]He said: 'Having the referees helps us get an insight into how they think. They are young and the players and parents have to understand they will make mistakes, but we are here to help. [LNB]'If the players can understand how the referees work that will help them in the future. We try to ensure they respect the referee. I was never a saint as a player but if we can get the balance right we will all achieve what we need to.' [LNB]THE REFEREES' CHIEF [LNB]Ian Blanchard is the FA's senior national referee manager and has been impressed by what he has seen. 'The bond between group members is most evident,' he said. 'They operate in teams and are motivated and committed to achieve. [LNB]'Of course there is a huge amount placed on the shoulders of the co-ordinator or manager. If that person is motivated and inspirational the academy system works really well.' [LNB]THE FORMER REFEREE[LNB]Sportsmail columnist Graham Poll gave the academy referees a master class recently and is set to visit more to share his experience. [LNB] Tough lesson: Poll, talks to young officials at Charlton's training ground[LNB]He said: 'We have an issue that we haven't got enough good referees. A few weeks ago there were only 11 fit and available for Premier League games, which cannot be healthy, and they do too many matches. [LNB]'This provides a light at the end of the tunnel. When I started I was the exception. I was the only young one around in my area. [LNB]'At Charlton they have got a guy who is giving a lot of time and effort to help these lads at the start of their careers. But to find that there is no funding for it is a bit of a shock. What is being done that is common in every academy if the FA is not controlling them? [LNB]'I think it is great that they are there but there is still a lot of work to be done.'[LNB] Henry could be hit by World Cup ban as FIFA refer handball to disciplinary panelFormer referee Pierluigi Collina boosts calls for FIFA to turn to video technologyWiley reveals torment over Fergie jibe but vows not to sue Man United bossShock horror! Sir Alex Ferguson backs referee over Gary Neville red card[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Martin Hansson, Stuart Attwell, Graham Poll, Thierry HenryPlaces:Paris, Republic of Ireland
