A quartet of Singleton Strikers players have taken part in Northern NSW Football's Match Official Education Session for Premier Youth Players, giving them a unique perspective of the other side of the game.
NNSWF hosted an exclusive half-day Match Official Education Session to enable Premier Youth players to gain a better understanding of the Laws of the Game and improve as footballers last week.
The 2021 Education Session, held at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Thursday morning, was followed by a Level 4 Referee Course in the afternoon.
Four Singleton players, Liam Byrne, Logan Elliot, Lachlan Fleming and Emily Northey, were part of the group of about 30 young players representing a number of Premier Competitions clubs that took part. Dolly's Charity Shop, Singleton sponsored the four young Strikers players to take part in the course.
Northern NSW Football Head of Football Development Peter Haynes said the session was a unique and effective way for budding professional players to get an insight into the challenges facing match officials and the importance of maintaining respectful working relationships between players and officials.
"As a player, we often forget how difficult a job match officials have when we are in the heat of a match," Haynes said. "In addition to a better understanding of the laws and challenges of officiating, the session provides details on the benefits of becoming a match official and the pathway to officiating elite football.
"The day is also a great opportunity for young players to take advantage of the New Referee Starter Pack which is designed to help get young match officials out on the park."
