Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1437906
28 | WINTER 2021 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie Name: Orla Kavanagh County: Dublin (Shankill GAA) What is your referee journey? I completed my Go Games referee course years back and then progressed up to do my Level 2 course. What made you sign up for the GYW Referee Academy Programme? I was keen to develop my skills in refereeing and wanted to challenge myself so I thought I would apply to the programme. What do you think is the toughest part of refereeing? Dealing with sideline conflict. What is your favourite aspect of refereeing? Meeting other fellow referees and constantly learning from mine and other referees' experiences. I also love watching how skilful the game is! If there was one rule you would like managers and players to be more aware of what would it be? THE TACKLE… HOW and WHEN a player can be tackled!!! ……"A player holding the ball into her body cannot be legally dispossessed." What was your favourite part of the Referee Academy? Finally getting to meet the other referees that took part in the academy, but also getting to learn from national referees. If you had one piece of advice for someone starting off as a referee, what would it be? This was a piece of advice I took while participating in the programme…. that even if you have had a bad/tough game, you still have had many positive games. So there will always be more good games, than bad games so try to focus on the good games!! Name: Emma Dunne County: Louth What is your referee journey? I started at the bottom of the ladder with the Go Games module, then went and did the Youth course, then the Adult course. I'd seen the Academy advertised and it looked interesting, and so I applied and got in. What made you sign up for the GYW Referee Academy Programme? I enjoy learning, and keeping the head thinking and meeting like-minded people to share experiences with. What do you think is the toughest part of refereeing? For me, I find the toughest part is having the courage to go out and make decisions that inevitably one side or the other will blame you for, even if only because they don't want to blame themselves. What is your favourite aspect of refereeing? Working with like-minded people, being part of a great panel of people that support and look out for each other. Meeting all different characters around the country and hearing their yarns and tales of woe. If there was one rule you would like managers and players to be more aware of, what would it be? The tackle: "A player holding the ball into her body cannot be legally dispossessed. Any attempt to do so will result in a free for her and her team. When making a tackle to dispossess a player of the ball, it must be timed when the player is soloing, bouncing, kicking or passing the ball. The ball must be knocked from the opponent's hand by flicking it with open hand or hands." What was your favourite part of the Referee Academy? I was lucky enough to officiate as linesperson at three inter-county matches this year, meet inter-county referees and ask them questions. If you had one piece of advice for someone starting of as a referee what would it be? Ask questions, lots of questions, there is no such thing as a stupid question. REFEREE: NATIONAL GRADUATION DAY