Donosti Cup Features Essex Match Officials
There was continental tournament success for Essex referees at on Sunday 3rd July as a group of 15 match officials, led by Essex County FA Council Mem
In excess of 550 teams took part from 26 countries, from Under 11s to 18s in both male and female categories. Whilst the group was predominantly Essex officials, they were also joined by colleagues from Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and the Republic of Ireland. Between them, they took charge of 138 games across five days, with the opportunity to both referee and assist being given to every member of the group.
There was the additional bonus that'd receive pro-active coaching to help develop their game further. Despite the ‘youth’ tag attached to the tournament, the geographical rivalries thrown up by the international nature of the matches, in addition to the more local tensions created by the participation of teams from across the Basque, Catalan and Southern French regions, ensured the games proved a stern test at times.
The group took charge of six Plate Finals on the last day and one ‘Champions League Final’ held at the Real Sociedad FC stadium at Anoeta, San Sebastian. An all-Essex trio of Referee Tom Johnson, assisted by Dave Harrison and Cristiana Hattersley, took charge of the Under 13 Boys Final, ensuring a fabulous end to a great year for all three officials, all of whom had received promotion during the 2016/17 season.
The final went without a hitch, with the outcome decided by kicks from the penalty mark and, once again, feedback ensured that the reputation of Essex referees was once again boosted abroad, extending to an invite to return in 2018 already being received!
The referees were: Stuart Cheek, Rob Claussen, David Harrison, Thomas Whay, Steve Marr, Thomas Johnson, Cristiana Hattersley, Abbie Fox, Chris Lee (all Essex or associates), Ray Smith, Ashley Baldock-Smith, Natalie Hudson, James Bloodworth (all Lincolnshire), Keith Byrne and Paul Brogan (both Dublin).
To find out more about refereeing in Essex, click on the 'Referees' link in the menu above, follow @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.
There was the additional bonus that'd receive pro-active coaching to help develop their game further. Despite the ‘youth’ tag attached to the tournament, the geographical rivalries thrown up by the international nature of the matches, in addition to the more local tensions created by the participation of teams from across the Basque, Catalan and Southern French regions, ensured the games proved a stern test at times.
The group took charge of six Plate Finals on the last day and one ‘Champions League Final’ held at the Real Sociedad FC stadium at Anoeta, San Sebastian. An all-Essex trio of Referee Tom Johnson, assisted by Dave Harrison and Cristiana Hattersley, took charge of the Under 13 Boys Final, ensuring a fabulous end to a great year for all three officials, all of whom had received promotion during the 2016/17 season.
The final went without a hitch, with the outcome decided by kicks from the penalty mark and, once again, feedback ensured that the reputation of Essex referees was once again boosted abroad, extending to an invite to return in 2018 already being received!
The referees were: Stuart Cheek, Rob Claussen, David Harrison, Thomas Whay, Steve Marr, Thomas Johnson, Cristiana Hattersley, Abbie Fox, Chris Lee (all Essex or associates), Ray Smith, Ashley Baldock-Smith, Natalie Hudson, James Bloodworth (all Lincolnshire), Keith Byrne and Paul Brogan (both Dublin).
To find out more about refereeing in Essex, click on the 'Referees' link in the menu above, follow @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.
