The saying goes 'The more the merrier'.

This also applies to football referees and this is why the Referees Board of the Malta FA is launching yet another course in a few days. There is always a need of more men and women taking up the whistle.

It is essential that the officials appointing referees to the various categories of matches have a wide enough choice to nominate those referees they feel are suitable for a specific match. While it is true that all referees are fully qualified, there are those who for various reasons, stand out. These are the officials who make it to the top.

There are two categories of officials - referees and assistant referees.

The Referees Board treats each category equally. They all start on the bottom rung of the ladder and the majority work their way up through sheer dedication and ability.

A Recruitment Committee, under former international referee Victor Mintoff, is responsible for the management of these trainee referees.

Match Inspectors are sent to see those trainee officials who show promise and these are then promoted and assessed again by different inspectors as they progress. This is where the selection between the central official and the assistant referee starts.

Naturally, the members of the Referees Board evaluate each candidate carefully and confidentially during meetings and sift through reports and personal observations. Then, actual selection takes place.

The path to the top is not at all easy but it is one of tremendous satisfaction when one gets there. Today it is not only the FIFA list which a referee or assistant looks for, although this is naturally every official's ultimate aim. Travel abroad or appointment to top matches locally ensures a reward for effort, sacrifice and ability.

A young trainee referee starts off in U-14 and U-16 matches, organised by the Youth FA. It is here that he/she faces a baptism of fire but it is in these matches where the trainee has to show control. In fact, as these students are of secondary school age, each official will feel like a teacher in a classroom.

A newly-qualified teacher may struggle to control a class at first but will slowly, and surely, gain the upperhand. This is the same for the young raw official.

We have referees who are now just 18 but already controlling Third Division matches. This was only possible because they successfully went through the mill.

It was not easy but perseverance ultimately paid off. We have referees and assistant referees in our top division who are in their early 20s. But why have they been promoted to this category?

Only because they proved their worth. Promotion is not automatic.

New recruits should realise that there is a lot of satisfaction if one dons the once black, but now even coloured, apparels of a referee.

They will become true leaders.

Let us make it clear that women have just as much chance as male colleagues to make it to the top. FIFA recognises this as it has a list for women international referees and they not only control matches involving women but are also given matches where men are the protagonists.

Here in Malta we already have Esther Farrugia, of Mosta, who has already reached the First Division category and seems to be destined to go further.

Sadia Mizzi, another referee, has already acted as fourth official in a number of international matches.

A future in refereeing beckons those who have the will and temperament to take on the job. Former players who have given up the game for one reason or another are encouraged to take on a career as a referee.

Applicants must contact the Head of the Referees Department Tom A. Restall at the Malta FA offices in Valletta.