Route opens for referees interested in reaching the pro' ranks

The West Riding School of Excellence exists to help those referees who demonstrate outstanding potential to achieve their goal of reaching the professional game.

The group will be led by Wakefield’s Andy Madley, a National list referee who is actively involved with The Football League.

Adams is joined in the list of 20 by Akeel Ahmed, Gareth Myers, Rob Varley, Dane Hill, Michael Trevethan, Josh Martin, Kieran Dawson, Ricky Taylor, Jonny Bickerdike, Ronan Coller Booth, Neil Richardson, Greg Rhodes, Wayne Niles, Matt Collins, Alex Elwen, Lewis Dawson, Joe Phillips, Joe Starkie and Aaron Williams.

“It is a privilege to lead these candidates on their journey to become elite level referees,” said Madley. “They all already referee regularly, and have demonstrated the potential to become professional match officials. I hope that one day, a number of the young referees in this group will end up in the professional game, and carry on the rich refereeing heritage we have in West Riding.”

Each candidate will commit to a fitness programme with periodic fitness tests measured to the same levels expected of referees already in the professional game. In addition, regular development meetings will take place on a regular basis, including one-to-one mentoring with an assigned coach/mentor.