New course for Football referees in Torrevieja

The other men in black

We´ve all done it; sat in front of the TV or sat on an uncomfortable seat watching our favourite team, and then it happens. The ref makes a mistake. How come everyone in the crowd and the TV cameras saw it but the man in black did not? If you are one of those that truly thinks you could do better, now is your chance to put your money where your mouth is and train to be a qualified referee. All you need is desire, good eyesight, the ability to stay focused and neutral, be able to write down names in a little black book, be fit enough to keep up with play and thick skin. Oh, and maybe eyes in the back of your head would help as well!

Torrevieja Sports department are going to give you your chance to see if being a referee is for you. For the second consecutive season, classes and instruction on becoming a referee are being given in the press room of the Palacio de los Deportes ‘Infanta Cristina’ every Wednesday at 19.00, organized by the Delegation of Soccer Referees Orihuela, with the generous collaboration of the City of Torrevieja and it’s all offered for free.

At the completion of training new referees have the opportunity to officiate ‘friendly’ games between the Youth Torrevieja CF teams, with the supervision of the training supervisor. The duration of the course coincides with that of the Spanish Football League from 2010 to 2011. Professor and former professional referee Joaquín Gomez teaches the classes and acts as your monitor supervisor during live games. The classes are taught in Spanish but those with basic understanding our host’s language should not have any difficulty

The purpose of these courses is to build up a larger database of football referees of both sexes, especially for the Junior Youth games around the Costa Blanca. Budding refs are taught physical preparation but not until and after they have passed a thorough medical examination, which are free for all students. The classes also cover moral and ethical training, as the position on the field is comparable to the job of ‘notary, thus fairness and impartiality are strengths that are highlighted, plus of course, the rules and interpretation of the ‘beautiful game’.

The sports councillor for the Municipality of Torrevieja, Daniel Plaza, has shown special commitment to this project, seeing Torrevieja as a leader in the field of setting up a ‘Municipal School of Arbitrators’, becoming a pioneer in Spain for this type of teacher training. The courses can be joined by attending any Wednesday from 1900 hrs at the Press Office at the Sports palace or by phoning Joaquin on 679573302. Don’t forget, the courses are absolutely Free.


Keith Nicol

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