Tag Archives: john fleming

Scotland’s top referees take final step

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Scotland’s top referees did their first pre-season fitness test last weekend. A big moment for the the refs at Stirling University. The official kit was presented, the season is going to start soon.

But how do Scotland’s top referees prepare for a new season? Referee boss John Fleming and referees Bobby Madden and Nick Walsh tell you how they’ll become ready for the 2014/2015 season.

John Fleming, Head of Referee Operations at the Scottish FA: “They are training right through. There’s no such thing as a rest period now. They’re also involved in a 170 friendlies today.”

The young Nick Walsh adds: “This test day is the final step. We are making sure we’re fully set for the season ahead.”

“It’s an extensive pre-season program”, Bobby Madden says. “It can be quite challenging at times.” The referees train in speed sessions, endurance sessions but also for injury prevention. “It covers everything”. We need to make sure the referees and assessors are prepared as best as they can for the new season”, says Bobby Madden. He got two semi-finals last season in the Scottish and League Cup. “I’d love to think that one day I could referee a final.”

Scotland’s top referees tell more about their pre-season preparation and their ambitions in the video below:

Want to know more about refereeing in Scotland? Read the interview with Barry Cook.

Or check how to become a referee there.

Referees in the media (week 30)

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‘Referees in the media’ will be published at the beginning of the week on the Dutch Referee Blog and provides remarkable or interesting quotes and links to articles worth reading.

“It really is something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Sean Hurd, Olympic football referee in London.

“We had this minor panic when that came in, thinking, what are we going to do?! But ultimately, the referees in Fifa don’t make goal line mistakes so we’ve really already got it.”

Says Fifa 13 lead producer Dave Rutter to The Guardian.

Immediately adding: “That’s a cheat answer, I know!”. Read more about the new Fifa 13 on the Guardian Blog.

“It’s time for my family and my undivided attention. God bless all future endeavours of my ref colleagues and friends. It was a bumpy ride.”

South-African top referee Charl Theron announces his retirement after failing for the pre-season fitness test.

“Over the last 10 years we have recruited more than 2,400 referees and these new recruits are the lifeblood of refereeing in Scotland. “

Scottish referee boss John Fleming is happy with all new referees in Scotland and the continued partnership with Specsavers as referee sponsor.