REFEREE DEVELOPMENT

                Sligo Referees are at the “top of their game” and the quality of our officials has been recognised by the fact that Sligo men have been entrusted with the management of the most important of encounters. As we all know both Michael and Marty Duffy have officiated at Senior and Minor All Ireland finals in recent years but that is only part of the refereeing story in Sligo. Yeats men have taken charge of League and Provincial finals as well and when you include stand by referees and lines men it is clear that the County is punching far above its weight in this area. Recently Gus Chapman gained promotion to the Inter County refereeing ranks; Gus is a very well regarded referee in both codes. John Niland has officiated at the highest level in Ladies football. The performance of the group of young referees coming through is very encouraging although it is disappointing to hear abuse being directed towards these young officials (some things never change!) at matches. Part of their training must involve coping with taunts because it certainly does not affect their game. Sligo County Board has fully supported the “Give respect get respect” programme which has operated in the last few years.

 As a rule our officials seldom complain about their lot although they might have just cause from time to time. Once a sanction has been imposed referees understand that the process that involves the CCC and possibly the Hearings Committee is an independent decision arrived at by two independent bodies. These Committees are put in place after convention. Clubs often appeal sanctions to the Hearings Committee, at local level, in order to have them removed or reduced but some CCCC decisions involving inter County games have resulted in sanctions actually being increased by the Central Hearings Committee.

The training and development of Referees in Sligo is dealt with in the Strategic Plan (2012-2016). This plan recognises that like every other body in Sligo GAA the referees require a structured committee where they can discuss their needs and liaise with the County Board. This year after Convention such a Committee was put in place to realise the main objective of the plan “to improve communications with the referees and the County Committee.”  

                The Strategic Plan also envisages the recruitment of ten young referees every year and the use of a “young whistler initiative” as a Transition year project in five schools.

                The issue of respect for officials is being taken more seriously everywhere of late with Kerry County Board this week backing Manager Jack O’Connor who has met with Senior County players  amid disquiet over their constant questioning of refereeing decisions in the Allianz League.   

MANY YOUNG MEN OF TWENTY

                It is often said that when something needs to be done it’s best to ask a busy man and true to that saying 25 Inter County players were asked to act as “Youth mental health advocates” in their Communities (Irish Times). The 25 responded positively and will receive training in a mental health literacy education programme with Dr.Tony Bates the founding director of “Headstrong” the national Centre for Youth Mental Health. This organisation and the GPA have come together to launch the initiative which aims to enable young people to discuss mental health issues in the same way that they would any other health issue. In European terms Ireland has the highest rate of suicide among young males. The explanations for this are not entirely clear but it is thought that reluctance among that cohort to discuss some issues may lead to mental health problems which are themselves further repressed. Vulnerable young men may turn to Alcohol and other substances which exacerbates the original difficulty. The phenomenon has been with us for some time and does not seem to be related to the economic fortunes of the Country.

                There is far more openness in Irish society about mental health issues and this programme will educate young people as to what “protects and hinders their mental health”-Dr.Bates. The players involved will do this through public meetings and social media announcements. Their training will equip them to encourage young people to reach out but more importantly it will give them the tools to promote healthy ways to handle distress.