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NATIONAL ACCELERATE REFEREE PROGRAMME www.ladiesgaelic.ie | WINTER 2021 | 43 T he LGFA is pleased to announce that the National Accelerate Referee programme for 2021/2022 has become a 7-module blended learning programme. Referees will experience online learning, face to face workshops and practical pitch experience. This is an exciting development and has enabled us to continuine training and development of referees throughout the pandemic. The referees have already completed modules in physical fitness, technical referee skills, the importance of teamwork and the mental aspects surrounding refereeing. Everyone involved with the accelerate programme is very excited to see how the new format works out and can't wait to get started and watch the growth and development of the referees along their journey in the Lidl National Leagues in 2022. We caught up with Gerard Canny to see how he is enjoying the programme so far. NATIONAL ACCELERATE REFEREE PROGRAMME MOVES ONLINE FOR 2021/2022 Name: Gerard Canny County: Mayo What is your referee journey? I attended and completed a GAA refereeing course in my local GAA club and then refereed GAA for a few years before moving to LGFA. I then had to take a break for a couple of years because of work and family commitments. I am back at it now six years or so and enjoying it much better now and I decided to only focus on ladies football games after I completed the provincial accelerate course in Connacht. It has helped develop my referee skills and direct me on the path to national. What made you sign up for the referee national accelerate programme? After a few years at LGFA, I was asked to do some schools games in Connacht, from this I had time to do the PPS games. I really enjoyed them and decided to do the provincial accelerate course. Once I completed the provincial accelerate course and got some provincial county games, I really enjoyed them. This made me realise how much I enjoyed doing inter-county games and I had learned, so much from the provincial accelerate that I decided that's what I wanted to do next and was encouraged by other referees in Connacht to apply for the programme. I am really enjoying the experience now and can't wait for the National League in 2022. What do you think is the toughest part of refereeing? You will never please everyone. I sometimes laugh to myself when I hear the crowd shout onto the pitch 'agh ref' when it's a line ball or too many steps. For me, the toughest part is not enough people know the rules of the LGFA, so they criticise the referee when most of the time the referee is implementing the correct rule. It can be frustrating for a referee. What is your favourite aspect of refereeing? I really like being involved with the LGFA and the amount of positive people within the Association. I have enjoyed lots of different roles in the Association, I have umpired at big games, and you can see the game from a different view to make myself a better referee and you get to meet great people along your journey. I just love being involved and it's extra special when you are the person in the middle. If there was one rule you would like managers or players to be more aware of, what would it be? The tackle in LGFA is on the ball at all times and players can only tackle when the ball is out from the body. The charging is another one; you must attempt to go around the player, not through the player. What would you like to achieve from completing the National Referee Accelerate Programme? To be able to referee the game better when you come under pressure in the bigger games, using everything I have learned to make better decisions on the pitch. I am looking forward to using my reflective tools after every game to improve, knowing what went well and what I must improve on. This will all make me a better referee, which is the ultimate aim. Gerard Canny