Similar to last year at this stage, the Association has enjoyed another successful year, not only measured by the excellent number of new entrants, subsequent numbers attending training, prestigious appointments and promotions but by the extremely healthy activity which has taken place throughout the year as outlined by Vikki who yet again has done a tremendous job in pulling together the highlights and major talking points.
What continues to be remarkable is the amount of time and commitment shown to the Association not only in terms of on the park where it matters most in terms of performance but by all the off-field activity. In terms of commitment however it would be wrong not once again highlight the examples set by George Smith who sadly passed away in May after a Courageous and brave fight lasting over 3 years. Similarly, the loss was exacerbated when the refereeing family lost John Fleming in late October. Both of these gentlemen were very close friends and colleagues to us all and will be sadly missed.
Conversely, from a positive perspective, I am confident the Association has a bright future ahead in the next year. Mark continues to do a fantastic job in supporting me……..and that’s no mean feat, but particularly with those on the development path, where he arranges the regular training evenings and seminars supported by an equally enthusiastic Michael Banks. likewise our President (Stuart Luke) continues to ensure that time at our meetings has a strong emphasis on coaching and reflection on refereeing which provides healthy debate. The support from those on the management committee is another very positive aspect and the effort and time given by them is very much appreciated.
This year has also seen a large number of new entrants, promotions and also prestigious appointments. It would be wrong to be blasé about the representation our women referees receive in regards to the finals of the major competition but once again the EDRA are the forerunners.
A particular highlight of the year though was not only Peter Stuarts promotion to Category 1 status but his appointment as the referee to the Scottish Junior Cup Final. A first for the association since Brian Colvin.
Similarly Ralph Gordon’s appointment as an Assistant Referee to the Scottish Cup Final was due to recognition of Ralph as a first class Assistant Referee and role model for all.
These appointments along with David Doig, Graeme Leslie and Gavin Duncan to the Challenge Cup Final marks one of our most successful years for some time and marks our progress.
Similar to the message from Mark at this juncture last year, If you have not been to an Association meeting, can we encourage you to come along. You will be made very welcome and gives you the opportunity to keep abreast with changes to the laws and put your points over in a very friendly and open atmosphere.
New Year, a New Decade and new goals…and I hope that you will use the short festive break to refocus and evaluate what you want to achieve from your refereeing. It does not matter what level we are at or what role we play I am sure we all wish to continue to develop and to do our best.
Wherever this year takes us can I therefore on behalf of Calum, Mark and I wish you and your families every success and a Happy New Year.
Martin Clark
(Association Manager)
2019 Highlights:
February 19 – Introductory Class – First highlight is back in February where we welcomed 18 new officials during our February class! Our Feb class is 5 Sundays and we are running another in 2020. For info click here
February 19 – This year we also launched our skills videos on the website! These can be a great tool for new officials but also for experienced referees to also look back on! These videos have been viewed just under 900 times. If there is anything you would like to see added get in touch!
February 19 – Visit from English Referee Association. – We not only collaborate with our colleagues across Scotland but also from other International Associations. This year we had the English Referee Association visit us here at EDRA where they shared some of their practices and we shared ours back. It is a great way to ensure we are both doing that most we can for our officials!
February 19 – Two of our female officials were out officiating in Oman in February 19! Niamh and Sandie went to officiate in the MESAC Football tournament in Oman with some of our other Scottish Colleagues.
February 19 – Borders Recruitment story in paper – Jonathan Gall helped with recruitment down in the Borders by having an article in the local paper!
February 19 – One Year on Story on website. – It’s important that we share our stories so in February Sean Duff shared his journey one year on in refereeing!
March 19 – International Women’s day – Celebrating our female members and their experiences in officiating. – In March we celebrated International Women’s day by asking some of our current female officials their thoughts and highlights of officiating so far! We are very lucky at EDRA to have a number of female officials, which we have had 5 come through the class this year alone. If you are interested in signing up for a class see more info here
March 19 – International Friendly Appt – David Doig was appointed to an International Friendly – England C v Wales C.
March 19 – Craig Ferguson was appointed to a UEFA U17 Euro Qualifying Tournament in which he officiated Poland, Russia and Portugal.
March 19 – Vikki Allan was appointed to a UEFA U17 Euro Qualifying Tournament in which she officiated Republic of Ireland, Norway and Germany.
March 19 – In March we had three officials appointed to the IRN BRU Cup Final. Congratulations again to Graeme Leslie, David Doig and Gavin Duncan! – Connah’s Quay Nomads v Ross County.
April 19 – First Super League Appt – In April Dominic Falconer received his First Futsal Super League Appointment –
TMT v Polonia Edinburgh 3rd Official
Glasgow City v Polonia Dundee 1st referee
April 19 – In April Mr George Smith was made Honorary President of our Association. Sadly Mr Smith passed away not long after he was appointed our Honorary President. Our Association Manager Martin Clark shared a tribute on our website to him. https://www.edinburghanddistrictreferees.co.uk/2019/05/21/a-personal-tribute-to-george-b-smith-gbs/
2019 sadly saw us lose a number of the refereeing and footballing family. For those who have passed we take a moment to remember our own memories of them. Of those that have passed this included our Honorary President George Smith and also Head of Referee Operations John Fleming.
May 19 – SFA Youth Cup Final – In May Daniel Graves was Fourth Official at the Scottish FA Youth Cup Final – Celtic v Rangers
May 19 – SWFL1 Cup final – In May Emma Hingant (Ref), Vikki Allan (AR1) and Scott Downie (4th Off) were appointed to SWFL1 Cup Final – Celtic v Renfrew.
May 19 – SWPL Cup Final – In May Vikki Allan (AR1) and Emma Hingant (4 Off) were appointed to SWPL Cup Final – Glasgow City v Hibernian.
May 19 – In May we held our Annual Dinner, which is a Celebration of the Achievements from the Association members.
- National Cup Finals –
o 1.05/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Emma Hingant – SWFL Cup final 18, SWFL1 Cup Final 19 & SWPL Cup Final 19
o 1.10/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Niamh Westwood – SWFL Cup Final 18
o 1.15/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Vikki Allan – SWFL2 18, SWFL1 18, Women’s Scottish Cup 18, SWFL 1 19 & SWPL Cup Final 19
o 1.20/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Scott Downie – SWFL 1 Cup Final 19
o 1.25/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Iain Snedden – Scottish FA Youth Cup final 18
o 1.30/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Gavin Duncan and Graeme Leslie – Scottish Challenge Cup Final 19
o 1.35/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Ryan Lee – Scottish FA Youth Cup Final 18
o 1.40/30 – National Cup Final Awards – Daniel Graves – Scottish FA Youth cup Final 19
- The Presidents Award is awarded by our President each year to someone who has gone above and beyond for the Association. This year Stewart Luke presented this to Jimmy Duncan!
- The Frank Campbell Assistant Referee of the Year award was presented to Iain Gallacher!
- The Trainers Award this year was renamed to the Bill Mullan Award. Bill sadly passed away late last year but was a very respected member of the Association. We were delighted to have his son Gerry in attendance to present the award. This year the award went to Ralph Gordon!
- The Development Team Award is chosen by the Development team and given to someone who has excelled during the season. Congratulations to Daniel Silva!
- The Referee’s Referee of the year Award is nominated by the membership and then attendees vote a shortlist on the evening. This year the award was presented to Peter Stuart, congratulations!
- Our final award of the evening was the Bill Tait Award. This award is presented to an official who has performed extremely well over the season in the Juniors. This year the award was presented to Daniel Graves!
- At the Dinner we also share a video of achievements from throughout the season – check it out here!!!
May 19 – U19 SYFA Cup Final – In May Ian Baillie (Ref), Kevin Kyle (AR1) & Raymond Hume (4th Off) were appointed to the U19 SYFA Cup Final between Harmony Row YC v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy FC.
May 19 – We were very lucky to have had a number of promotions during the season! Congrats to all! – Peter Stuart (Cat 1), Ryan Lee (Cat 2D), Greig Haynes (Cat 3), Scott Downie ( Cat 3D), Will Pare (Cat 3D), Daniel Silva (Cat 3D), Tommi Kerr (Cat 3D) & Derek McNee (Cat4).
May 19 – Observers – In May our Assistant Association Manager Mark Doyle was also appointed as an Scottish FA Assistant Referee Observer!
May 19 – Scottish Cup Final – In May Ralph Gordon was appointed at AR2 in the Scottish Cup Final! – Hearts v Celtic.
May 19 – Recognition of Contribution to Refereeing award – In May Bob Wilson was recognised by the Scottish FA for his Contribution to Refereeing and was given an award.
May 19 – SCORE 19 – We were very lucky to have three members accepted onto the SCORE programme this year!
June 19 – Junior Cup – In June Peter Stuart was appointed as Referee to the Junior Cup Final! – Auchinleck Talbot v Largs Thistle.
June 19 – SWFL 2 Cup Final – In June Fiona Morton (Ref) and Vikki Allan (AR1) were appointed to the SWFL2 Cup Final Dryburgh Athletic v Morton.
June 19 – Choose Life Suicide Awareness Charity Tournament – In June four of our members volunteered to take part in the Choose Life Suicide Awareness Charity Tournament! Well done to Abdul, Stuart, Sandie and Kostas.
June 19 – EDRA Women’s training day – In June the EDRA held it’s first all female local training day! We ran through practical activities and also clips later in the afternoon!
September 19 – Champions League last 32 – Vikki Allan was appointed as AR2 to Champions League last 31 Atletico Madrid v Spartak.
October 2019 – EDRA are passionate about Women’s recruitment in Scotland. One of our female officials Vikki Allan has been part of the promotions this year.
October 19 – Presentation to Drew Herbertson – In October the Association made a Presentation to Drew Herbertson who had retired in May from the Scottish FA after 38 years service!!
October 19 – Presentation to Scott Millar – Scott Millar was presented an award at our October Meeting for stepping down from the Senior List.
October 19 – Presentation to retired members – At our October Meeting we also presented retired members with awards to mark their service to the Association. These were presented to Steve McGeouch, James Tucker and Paul Gartland.
October 19 – Euro Qualifiers – In October Vikki Allan was appointed as AR2 to Euro Qualifier Germany v Ukraine.
October 19 – In October Niamh Westwood was appointed to UEFA U17 Euro Qualifying Tournament, she officiated Italy, Northern Ireland and Montenegro.
October 19 – In October Peter Stuart was appointed to UEFA U17 Euro Qualifying Tournament, he officiated Germany, Andorra & Belarus.
November 19 – Women’s Scottish Cup Final – In November Vikki Allan (AR1), Emma Hingant (AR2) & Niamh Westwood (4th Off) were appointed to the Women’s Scottish Cup Final! – Hibernian v Glasgow City.
December 19 – In December Gianluca Marini officiated his first match in the Futsal Super League Fair City Santos v Dundee West FC.
August/October 19 – New Entrants Class – We recently had 48 new entrants pass their exam and join the EDRA! This class was August to October over 10 Monday evenings. If you are interested in our next class starting February see the following link
