SUBSTITUTION REF!
by Robin Haskins
We
were treated to a vision of the future at a game
covered by Youth Football Scotland recently as a referee
appeared from nowhere, used his iPhone as a stopwatch
and left all the parents wishing he could referee their
games every week! This rare event was not the latest in
mind control techniques but the generous intervention
of the son of Alnwick FC 14s very own coach Vincent
Raeburn in a match versus Spartan Reds where the
referee who was due to attend was unable to make it at
the very last moment. Shawn Raeburn, also a key player
at Spartans 17s himself, is a budding young referee and
was training for his refereeing exams at the time.
As a first experience of refereeing a game goes, there is
nothing quite like getting thrown in at the deep end! Kick
off was fast approaching as Vincent and Alan Archibald
coach of Spartans, began to get a little concerned as to the
whereabouts of the referee. They contacted the South
East Region Youth Football Association who proposed
they referee the game themselves but knowing how
circumstances can develop, both coaches deferred the
decision a wee bit longer, left some texts and a voicemail
with the referee and kept their respective teams warming
up. Time elapsed and soon after they heard from the
“The most important
thing with refereeing
is commonsense.”
incumbent official who unfortunately wasn’t going to
be able to make it so Vince suddenly wondered if his
son Shawn could intervene. He suggested the idea to
Alan, saying that his exam was only in a couple of weeks.
Without a stopwatch or cards, Shawn grabbed his
iPhonand the game commenced, a little late but better
than never. Shawn played a blinder too, he managed
the game well, there were no yellows or reds required
and at the end of the game he was being asked back! He
communicated well with the players and built up a good
rapport, explaining his decisions and bringing personality
to the pitch without being the centre of attention. Ok, so
most of those words were those of his dad but our sources
do concur! I spoke to Vince a while after the game. He said,
“Fair play to Shawn you know, the stick that referees get,
you have to be thick skinned and have the right mentality.
But Shawn has always said as soon as he turns 16 and can
become a referee, that’s what he’s going to do,”
Vince hopes that a new breed of young referees, like
his son, are coming through. He goes on, “Shawn found
out that the course had already started but he went along
anyway on the advice of a contact. I know I’m his dad but I
think he has a good manner and he brings a lot of passion
and energy to his games, he takes the time to explain
decisions, talks to the players and they respond and speak
with him too.” Shawn has passed his refereeing exam and
is now a qualified referee. He’s starting at the younger age
groups, refereeing 13s and 14s football as well as some
school games on Saturday mornings. He continues to get
good feedback and reports from the side-lines.
“The most important thing with refereeing is common
sense,” Vince explains, “you know you see these games in
the Champions league, players screaming in the referees’
faces, it’s plain aggression. Then you see what happens
on pitches at younger age groups and it’s just disgusting,
these kids thinking it’s acceptable you know? Swearing,
violent conduct; one red and it’s getting the message
across, especially when it’s done in the right manner,
explaining that it just isn’t acceptable.” Shawn is looking
forward to adding to his experience and knows that in time
he will gain confidence and be able to work his way up
through the age groups. If the feedback from the touchlines is anything to go by then Shawn could be quickly
progressed through H