Seminar for match officials at Ta’ Qali

As part of the Talent and Mentor Programme 2011-2013 launched late last year, a seminar was organised recently by the Malta FA’s Referees’ Committee at Ta’ Qali.

The opening address was made by the Director of Refereeing Adrian D. Casha, who later introduced the conductor of the seminar, UEFA Instructor and CORE (Centre of Refereeing Excellence) coach Jorn West Larsen, from Denmark.

Part One of the seminar consisted of a session for mentors only. They were addressed on various topics regarding mentoring philosophy and technique, moti-vation of talents, match obser-vation and evaluation, and leader-ship qualities.

Larsen touched on how the mentors’ years of refereeing experience is to be used “in the understanding of referees” and on the honesty factor between the mentors and the talents under their guidance.

Part Two brought together the talents and mentors.

Here, Elite Referee Kevin Azzo-pardi and FIFA Assistant Referees Chris Francalanza and Mitchell Scerri – the first local refereeing team to attend a CORE course – gave their own experiences after the Nyon course.

The last part of the programme was dedicated to instructions to mentors before observing the Division Two match, Sta Venera Lightnings vs Kirkop United, at the Centenary Stadium.

Part Three of the seminar was the evaluation of the match.

A general discussion took place before the conclusion by Larsen.

This centred not only on the evaluation process of a match and the general mentoring exercise, but also on the ability of a mentor who should be ready to help motivate a referee to feel, be part and ready for this “learning experience.”