There is no shortage of referees in Beilen, because twenty students from the Volta school community obtained their football referee diploma yesterday.
Volta has been training students to become referees for more than ten years. This year the three hundredth piece of paper was handed out.
The initiative has its origins in physical education, says Robert Beute, physical education teacher. “We wanted to give them more than a diploma, so we thought of what is important. To be better at exercise, or to impart other qualities such as leadership and organisation. So then we came to referees and we approached the KNVB and local football associations.”
According to Beute, refereeing is important for the students, because it also allows them to give something back to society. “They like football. And whistling a match they learn how to lead and they give something back for their football association. Who knows, they might want to continue with it in the future.”
The nineteen boys and one girl learn all the tricks of the trade in one day. The morning started with the theory course followed by a bit of practice. The pupils of football association VV Beilen and CVV Fit Boys were called in for this.
But a game of whistling isn’t that easy, notes Beute. “It is difficult. The young people have to know all the rules and provide coaching in the field, but parents on the side also have an influence on the referees. And then comes the responsibility before and after the game, such as passing on the scores.”
With their diploma in their pocket, the students can whistle for the pupils of their own club on Saturday. One of the students who likes this is Guido. He feels like it. “It’s fun and exciting to do,” he says. “You have to pay attention and move quickly. In addition, you are not allowed to whistle too often and you also have to think about the rules.”
He participates because he also likes to whistle matches at his own club. “Then I can also guide the younger teams and learn how to get along with children. I also play myself and I also think it would be fun to whistle at other matches in addition to playing.”