Once again the Association has enjoyed another successful year, not only measured in the number of new entrants, prestigious appointments and promotions but by the healthy activity which has taken place throughout the year as outlined in the highlights which have been shared over the last few days. Below is a message from Association Management and our President wishing in the New Year:
Association Management – Martin Clark (Association Manager) , Mark Doyle (Assistant Association Manager) and Calum Murray (Referee Committee Member)
What a difference a year makes. A year which started with the Pandemic still impacting us has ended with VAR having been introduced into top flight Scottish football which a number of our members contributed to the roll out of, as well as operating under it and as VAR and AVARS.
This year has seen a return to normal refereeing activities and although some of the old challenges remain the same, it has been a real bonus for us to get back to full training as well as Association meetings, development activities, Instruction classes all being held in person, along with the return of our annual awards dinner.
What has not changed is the professionalism and enthusiasm that all of you have approached your matches and represented our Association at all levels from Grassroots football to Premiership and International fixtures in both the male and women’s game. It is a credit to our members that we have come through such a challenging previous two seasons with the Association in such a strong position. Congratulations to everybody who received promotions and high profile appointments throughout the year and many thanks to those who have now decided to retire for their service to refereeing over the years.
As an Association we are fortunate to have a number of committed and dedicated members who deliver our New Entrants classes, Development Academies and well as our Fitness Trainers Jimmy and Lee Ramage, not to mention our Referee Coaches who form our Development Team. These activities don’t just happen and are at the heart of what we do for the development of referees at all levels, so my thanks especially to them as well as to our Management Committee who have been led superbly by Vikki our President having taken over from George Calder whose term ended in April.
New Year often is accompanied by resolutions and new goals. Whatever these may be I hope that you can achieve them and you can be assured that Martin, Mark and Calum are here to support you as far as we can.
Therefore on behalf of the Management Team I would like to wish you and your families a Happy and prosperous New Year.
Vikki Allan, President
Having worked with the Management Committee and Association Management on writing this years highlights I am extremely proud of what we have achieved as an Association. Following what was an extremely difficult previous two seasons, and 2022 wasn’t without it’s difficulties as well it is fantastic to see the Association in such a strong position. It was even better to return to full face to face sessions and also group social gatherings following the pandemic. This allowed further coaching and a chance for our members to also let their hair down (which is very deserved!!). I would like to thank our Management Committee, Association Management, Development/Instruction teams, our Trainers… the list is endless for everything that they do for the Association we wouldn’t be where we are without them. Also to George Calder who finished his tenure as President in April, he led the Association through an extremely turbulent period and I am extremely grateful for the position he left the Association in.
To the membership I thank you for your tenacious attitude and professionalism. The highlights the last few days showcase just how fantastic a group of officials we have at the association from grassroots to the Premiership. I can’t wait to see what the Association Membership will achieve in 2023.
With that I would like to wish you all and your families a very happy new year and hope whatever your goals are for 2023 the Association will be there to support you.
Highlights Summary from Social Media
Its that time of year again where we celebrate the Associations and its members achievements/highlights from throughout 2022, of which there have been many! Over the course of the next two days we will share these. What has been your EDRA/refereeing highlight of 2022?
-January saw the Winter Promotions for the season. Below were the members who received promotion, congratulations again! Daniel Graves Cat 1D, Cameron Stirling Cat 3D, Jack Leslie Cat 3D, Konrad Spalony Cat 3D, Lewis Hogarth Cat 3D & Vikki Allan Cat 3D
-In March we celebrated International Womens Day. We are very lucky at EDRA to have a number of female officials. We shared the below video with our female officials and their highlights so far in their careers!
-In March the Scottish FA launched the new online referee training course. This allows candidates the opportunity to become a referee through an online course. This has been really successful and we have seen a number of new officials through this route. Below was the video shared by the SFA at the time featuring some of our members.
-It was great to return to in person meetings in which we held our AGM in April. It was also great to have a beverage or two post this and see members face to face again!
-In May Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts girls team shared a post on Facebook as they attended one of their Mens game. One of our officials Anna was running the line who inspired the girls to keep participating in football! We have reshared the post below. Hopefully one day we might see them in the middle or running the line.
-Following The Swifts Facebook post, Alex who was the referee at the game sent Izzy a set of cards and a whistle! Lovely gesture from Alex and hopefully encouraging a future generation of referees.
-Cup Final fever hit in May with the SYFA 19s InspireSport Scottish cup Final being officiated by four EDRA officials.
Kilwinning Rangers v St Cadocs
Referee – Ian Baillie
ARs – Calum Bryson & Robert White
Fourth – Norrie Brown
-As we approached the Summer break it was time for end of season promotions! Below was the list, congratulations again: Iain Snedden Cat 1, Alex Shepherd Cat 1D, Tommi Kerr Cat 3, Will Pare Cat 3, Sean Duff Cat 3, Rhys Struthers Cat 3, Andrew Brown Cat 3D
-One of our referees Luke Pierce was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder in September 2021. In June Luke featured in a special exhibition telling the stories of himself and others who have been disposed with the condition and the effect it has had on their lives. Check out the post below from June for more info and pictures of Luke at the opening event.
-This year we held two new entrants classes in February and August. It fantastic to see so many new members. This year we had 50 pass the class and join the refereeing family.
Now would be a great time to advertise our upcoming class in February! Beginning 5th Feb for 5 Sundays. If you are interested register your interest here – https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-fa/referees/referee-associations/edinburgh/
-In September we hosted our Annual Awards Dinner, this was the first time since the pandemic we have been able to host this event so was great to see so many members and their families/friends. The next few posts will be dedicated to the evening and the awards recipients.
Donation to Blood Bikes + Red and Yellow card quiz
During the evening we played the red and yellow card quiz with half of the proceeds going to Blood Bikes Scotland. Steven King won on the evening and donated his winnings back to the charity, big thank you to him!
We then presented Blood Bikes Scotland with a cheque of proceeds from the quiz and our 24 hour run last year which the total was an amazing £2,955. The cheque was presented by our late Honorary President George Smith’s Family.
Cup Final Awards
We are very lucky as an association to have had a number of officials on Cup Finals since our last dinner in 2019. These were presented to all of the recipients on the evening, congratulations to all.
Presentation to Ralph and Simon
This year saw two stalwarts of the game retire from the Senior list. Ralph Gordon and Simon MacLean were both presented with a token from the Association to mark their retirement this was presented by Crawford Allan. In a lovely moment both Ralph and Simon finished their time on the Senior List appointed to the same match, Whitburn v Stoneyburn in East of Scotland. There may be more to that story but we will let Simon off!
Frank Campbell Memorial Award – Niamh Westwood
The Frank Campbell Memorial Award is presented to an Assistant Referee within the Lowland League/East of Scotland who has excelled. This year the recipient was Niamh Westwood and was presented by Assistant Association Manager Mark Doyle.
Bill Mullan Trainers Award – Vikki Allan
The Bill Mullan Trainers Award is presented to someone who has worked hard on their fitness in the last season. This was presented to Vikki Allan by our Trainer Jimmy Ramage
Referee’ Referee of the Year Award – Alex Shepherd
Referee’s Referee of the Year Award is voted for by the membership. A shortlist is created in the lead up to the event and then voted for on the evening. This years recipient was Alex Shepherd and was presented by Referee Committee Member Calum Murray.
George Smith Development Award – Lewis Hogarth
The next award was renamed this year as the George Smith Development Award. Mr Smith sadly passed away in 2019 and was our Honorary President after an incredible Refereeing Career. He was always passionate about developing future officials and seeing them achieve. After discussion with his wife Pamela we felt this was a fitting award in his memory. This years recipient was Lewis Hogarth and presented by Pamela Smith.
Presidents Award – Ralph Gordon
The Presidents award is normally chosen by our current President, as our former President George Calder unfortunately never had a dinner due to the Pandemic he chose this years recipient. The award goes to someone who goes above and beyond for the Association and has dedicated a lot of time to the development of officials, this years recipient was Ralph Gordon and presented by George Calder.
Bill Tait Award – Brent Falconer
The final award of the evening was the Bill Tait award. This is presented to an official within the East of Scotland/Lowland League who has excelled. This years recipient was Brent Falconer and was presented by Association Manager Martin Clark and Association Assistant Manager Mark Doyle.
-A number of officials hung up their whistle this year either through retirement or stepping off the Senior List. We would like recognise and thank them for their service to Scottish Football, some of who have served this association with pride and distinction for a considerable number of years :
David Black, Alan Downie, Graham Finlay, Jonathan Gall, Alistair Marquis, Malcolm Stewart, Gavin Thomson, Alan Hogg, Andrew Waddell, Robert Marr, Steven Rowan, Michael Addy, Jack Brown, Michael Egan, Greig Haynes, Dean Kay, Joe Queen and Ewan Young
-Our member Rhys Struthers is currently one of the Youth Ambassadors of Change at the Scottish FA. This programme is looking to give young people across Scotland a voice at the Scottish FA and the future of football. Rhys attended a training day in November with the other Ambassadors and is a great ambassador for the Association.
In November the Scottish FA shared our member Mariia’s story. Mariia is from Ukraine and moved to Scotland due to the current war in Ukraine. Football has become a place of solace for Mariia and the EDRA are glad to play a small part in this.
-In November it was girls Youth Cup Semi Cup Final time with both Isla and Mariia featuring in the match between Hibernian and Hamilton!
-Following her Semi Cup Final appointment it was a fantastic end to the year for Isla as she won Champion Official of the year at the Scottish Women in Sport awards and she had some strong competition including the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final Referee. Congratulations again Isla!
-We are extremely lucky to have had a number of officials appointed to International Matches this year. Congratulations to Craig Ferguson, Peter Stuart, Iain Snedden and Vikki Allan a list of all their appointments is in the comments below.
Craig Ferguson – Assistant Referee
Norway vs Croatia U21s
UEFA Euro U21 qualification group stage
AZ Alkmaar vs FK Crvena Zvezda
Youth League Domestic Path
U19 qualifying round mini tournament
France vs Kazakhstan
France vs Iceland
Kazakhstan vs Iceland
Peter Stuart –
UEFA Youth League
Hibernian v Molde FK – 4th official
Celtic v Shakhtar – 4th Official
Iain Snedden –
UEFA Youth League
Hibernian v Nantes – 4th official
Vikki Allan – Assistant Referee
Croatia v Iceland – Womens World Cup Qualifier
France v Finaland – Womens U17 European Championships
Germany v Netherlands – Womens U17 European Championships
Spain v France – Womens U17 European Championships
Albania v Poland – Womens World Cup Qualifier
Rosengard v Barcelona – Champions League Group Stage
Recently confirmed for FIFA list 2023
-Another Cup final this time the CAS U16s Final which was Rangers v Celtic. Stuart Robertson was appointed as AR2 to this and it was streamed live on YouTube.
-It was a historic year in Scotland as VAR went live in October. EDRA played a large part in the training of the VAR officials by helping with training sessions which were simulation sessions of events which could occur during a match. Thank you again to all those who volunteered!
-In December we held out annual quiz, which was hosted by George Mathison. This year saw 17 teams battle it out for first place! There can only be one winner and congratulations to Team Stanton. Below is a picture 13 years apart can’t even tell the difference! This year we raised funds for Butterfly Trust and we will present them with a cheque in the New Year.
