Around twenty budding squash referees from a variety of clubs around the region attended the Referee training workshop held on Sunday 3rd February at Tynemouth Squash Club. Martin Roberts, the ES coordinator of Referee training, facilitated this free workshop, which was an entertaining mix of theory, quizzes and video examples of refereeing situations on court.

Attendees were subsequently invited to take an online exam, to enable them to become qualified as Club Referees (the first rung of the ladder). Progression is possible over time to County, Tournament and National grades, depending on gaining practical marking / refereeing experience at local, regional and national matches and tournaments, and being assessed at each stage by ES.

This is the first step in improving the standard of refereeing within Northumbria, who previously had no ES-recognised referees, and will also in time enable local referees to officiate at such events as PSL matches and major tournaments within the region and beyond.

It is hoped to organise another workshop in the near future for further interested participants, and juniors are particularly encouraged to attend. Please contact Colin McNestrie for more information.