Renowned World Class referee supports English development

Without referees our sport would not exist in the format it does, it is with extensive knowledge and effective management that the game of Roller Hockey can be played and viewed at it’s most spectacular. However referee’s are often players and parents coaxed into position through necessity rather than passion.

The NRHA want to see this trend change and are embarking on a project which aims to inspire people to embrace the role of refereeing with passion and enthusiasm, safe in the knowledge that there is a robust system in place to empower, educate and support them.

Over January’s National Training weekend NRHA President, Keith Allen welcomed World Class referee, Luis Rei to England as the start of a partnership to strategically plan the support and development of referees in England.

Once revered as one of the best Referees on the International scene and famed for completing a warm up before each match, just like the players, Luis’ passion for refereeing the sport of Roller Hockey is infectious and his knowledge of the rules is second to none. In his opinion the better prepared the referee, the better the game, “When watching a game of Roller Hockey played at it’s best, you do not notice the referee, they allow the game to be played the way the game was intended, spectacularly!”

Although now retired from International competitions, Luis’ resume boasts International experience spanning nearly 20 years and includes numerous selections for both Group A and B Senior Men’s World Championships, Women’s World

Championships and performances at various club Championship finals including the CERS Cup and Intercontinental Club Championships.

Luis Rei is also no stranger to the assessment and development of referees and has passed on his wealth of knowledge through a number of referee workshops and lectures worldwide and was also founder of the National Association for Roller Hockey Referee’s in Portugal.

January was the first of four visits Luis will make to England this year and was spent giving him a clear picture of the NRHA, the processes for Domestic and International Competitions in England along with a background to the Committee of Roller Hockey Referees (CRHR) and the referee appointment system. This was followed with discussions on the future and how developments can be in place for next season.

Luis will return to England three more times before the end of this season in order to progress discussions, his understanding of Roller Hockey in England, the CRHR and to assess the current standard of our referees.

Following these visits and through the summer, Luis will work in partnership with the NRHA to develop a strategy for improving our existing structure and the best way to progress forward, with the official strategy released prior to the start of 2012/2013 season.

When asked about his first impression of English Roller Hockey, Luis remarked, “It’s incredible, what you all achieve with so little resource, this would never happen in other countries, I look forward to being able to support your continued development.”

! For more information on Referee development, please contact CRHR President, Keith Allen on crhrpresident@sky.com