Belfast Boys Model School

Pupils from the school who are completing a BTEC in Sports and a PE Enrichment course have been rewarded for successfully completing the ‘IFA Referee Skills Programme’.

The pupils were presented with a certificate in recognition of their success from Northern Ireland Football Manager, Nigel Worthington and FIFA and Irish FA Referee Development Officer, Alan Snoddy.

The initiative was administered at the school by Mr. Snoddy at the beginning of the academic year and included coaching on fitness requirements for refereeing, man management skills, communication skills, practical refereeing, and the Laws of the Game. The IFA scheme aims to give young people an insight into the game from a different perspective and maintain interest in the sport at grass roots level.

Commenting on the presentation of certificates, Nigel Worthington commented, “I am delighted to be able to present these awards to Boys’ Model pupils and am very impressed with their commitment to the scheme and interest in the game. It is hoped that the Referee Skills Programme will allow young people to add a new dimension to their skill base and explore a new side to the game, something they normally would not do on their school team. I am confident that schools initiatives such as this one will foster a keen interest in the logistics of the sport and go towards strengthening support for the game across Northern Ireland.”

Also commenting on the success of the Boys’ Model pupils, Alan Snoddy said, “I am very proud of all the boys who attended the course, they worked hard and were very dedicated to extending their skill set and showed great enthusiasm to develop their knowledge. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on successfully completing the programme.”

Finally, George Murray, Head of PE at Belfast Boys’ Model, commented on the presentation, “The IFA Referee Programme was extremely beneficial to all those who took part and has increased respect among the boys for referees and the difficulties they face on the pitch. It educated the boys as to the match situations that referees need to deal with, the assessments they must complete and the equipment they use. On behalf of the school I would like to thank the IFA and Alan Snoddy for allowing our boys to participate and Nigel Worthington for taking the time to meet our young people today”.