During October and November Rochdale’s Mecure Norton Grange Hotel hosted two national camps for up and coming match officials.

The camps were designed to help nurture Referees pinpointed as the next generation of match officials and to learn about how to conduct themselves in a professional environment.

50 match officials of a range of ages from across the country were rewarded with a place on the national camp after receiving nominations from local society development officers and regional staff.

 

Senior officials and under 18’s were divided into two groups and given the opportunity to officiate in national competitions.

The RFL’s Match Official Development Officer Peter Brooke said: “The National Camps made a welcomed return this year and gave emerging match officials the perfect opportunity to improve their skills and progress within the game. I’d like to thank Louise and Steve Greenhalgh who volunteered their time and expertise to help assist with the running of the junior camp.

 

“All the match officials selected were of an extremely high standard and I hope that they can take what they have learnt over the course of the camp onto the field and become even better match officials. The attitude and application all the officials showed that we have some real potential and could have even found our next Super League Officials.”

Louise Greenhalgh who attended the senior camp as an official said: The weekend was well planned and the activities well thought out, I thought the sessions were excellent and I really got a lot from them.

“I particularly enjoyed the group match review as there were lots to take from it and it was extremely valuable to hear how everyone else construct their reviews.”

With only 50 places available on the national camps staged in Rochdale, aspiring match officials continue to work hard to secure a place on future camps.

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