Alan Snoddy was the main referees’ instructor at the annual 3 day Junior Referees’ Seminar held at Savio College in Dingli last week. Besides his current position as Head of Referees in Northern Ireland, Alan Snoddy is also an experienced UEFA Referees’ Coach and Observer. His 20 years as a FIFA Referee included two World Cup Finals – 1986 in Mexico and 1990 in Italy.

Other technical instructors at this seminar were Charles Agius, Philip Agius, Alexander Arena, Adrian D. Casha, Gaetano De Gabriele and Victor Mintoff. The topics covered included positioning, recognition of challenges, advantage, simulation, management, teamwork and cooperation, handball and the interpretation of the new text of Law 11 – Offside. Ronald Zammit conducted the theoretical and practical aspect of physical preparation.

Besides group work and practical exercises demonstrating real match situations, the group of 31 match officials from Categories 2,3 and 4 was taken to the National Stadium to observe the referee’s performance in the BOV Premier League match, Birkirkara vs Sliema Wanderers. The participants’ task was to highlight the positive and development points of the referee in this match. MFA Cameraman Mario Pisani filmed the match and provided DVDs after the match to enable the participants to discuss his performance on the following morning. The referee of the match, Fyodor Zammit, was present to discuss various areas of his match control.

The technical ability of the participants was assessed through a Laws of the Game Trivia Quiz and a Video Match Situations Test. The FIFA Fitness Test was held a week later at St Aloysius’ College, Birkirkara.

The Junior Referees’ Seminar was organised by the Malta FA Refereeing Department in collaboration with the Malta FA Referees’ Committee and the Malta Football Referees’ Association (MFRA).

Photo: Copyright © Joe Borg