On the 15^th of June, we went to Ballinakill Centre of Excellence with 3^rd and 4^th class to referee the boys and girls blitzes. Croí refereed 5 boys’ games and I refereed the 4 girls’ matches. I was excited to referee the girls matches. It was a bit different to the boys’ games because they pick it off the ground. The boys pick it up with their foot. It was a great experience for me as I would like to do it when I get older. I recommend it for anybody who has an interest in football. I was delighted when I got picked to represent the school in Aughrim to do the referee course.

Jamie

Young Whistlers

On Thursday the 15^th of June 2023, Jamie Coleman Murray and I went up to Ballinakill on the bus along with Ballyconnell 3^rd and 4^th class students. We were going to be reffing the games as Young Whistlers.

To prepare for being refs, a couple of months ago we went to Aughrim County Grounds to do the Young Whistlers Programme. In the programme, we learnt all the rules for U9 Mini blitzes. We also learnt about hurling which I found interesting because I was not very familiar with the sport. After the course, we received a whistle and a bodywarmer and were ready to be refs.

On the ride up to Ballinakill I felt excited because I had never reffed a game before and didn’t really know what to expect.

When the bus arrived in Ballinakill, pitches were set and it was straight into the blitzes. Even though the blitzes were non-competitive , the teams took them seriously like it was an All-Ireland which I respect and tried to be a good fair ref because I hate ref’s with favourites.

I was reffing boys’ games which I knew how to ref so I didn’t mind. Most of the matches I reffed were Ballyconnell matches but I also reffed Rathdrum and Aughrim.

After reffing the games I was happy with my decisions and choices and I was delighted to of been given the opportunity by the school to do the program.

Croí

Jamie and Croí with the buachaillí & cailíní from Rang a 3 & 4