Roo69
19/04/2005, 2:40 PM
From the FAI:
The Football Association of Ireland today announced that Ian Stokes, eircom League and FIFA Referee, has been selected by UEFA to participate in their ‘Talents’ programme. This programme identifies the top young international officials from around Europe and places them on an intensive two year mentoring programme. It is a great achievement for Ian, who is a graduate of the FAI’s School of Excellence Programme. Ian is delighted that UEFA have selected him for the programme.
"The Talent Programme is a fantastic opportunity to advance at a pace that would not normally have been possible, although progression is not guaranteed. Regular UEFA appointments together with intensive coaching and guidance are benefits that can only improve my refereeing skills together with those of my colleagues who will assist me on these appointments,” said Mr Stokes.
“I am also looking forward to working with my mentor Karl-Erik Nilsson from Sweden and to learning from his vast knowledge and experience. It has been a very positive start to the year as I have recently been upgraded to Grade 3 in the UEFA rankings and I look forward to applying myself to the challenges that the new grade and the Talent Programme have to offer," he concluded.
Meanwhile Alan Kelly has recently been upgraded to a Grade 2 UEFA referee, which will see him officiate at matches of increasing importance in 2005. He puts much of his success in Europe down to his participation in the mentoring scheme, where he spent his final year under the tutelage of Peter Jones, former FIFA and FA Cup Final Referee.
In other news, with UEFA’s encouragement, the FAI has been working hard on a Referee Exchange Programme with the IFA and the Scottish FA. Indeed this week sees history being made as Scottish referee, Brian Winter, takes charge of the Cork City v Drogheda Utd game in Turners Cross.
In exchange, Neil Doyle will be relishing the opportunity to officiate in Hampden Park, Glasgow, for the Scottish League game Queens Park v Elgin City. Later this month Paul Tuite will travel to Northern Ireland to referee the Newry v Lisburn Distillery game in the Irish League. Pat Kelly, (Manager Referees Department), believes that this experience will be of huge benefit to up-and-coming referees, giving them the opportunity to referee clubs from a different Association in unfamiliar surrounds. This experience will benefit them greatly if they progress to the FIFA list in future years, and is further aid to the Association in developing the elite referees panel.
The Football Association of Ireland today announced that Ian Stokes, eircom League and FIFA Referee, has been selected by UEFA to participate in their ‘Talents’ programme. This programme identifies the top young international officials from around Europe and places them on an intensive two year mentoring programme. It is a great achievement for Ian, who is a graduate of the FAI’s School of Excellence Programme. Ian is delighted that UEFA have selected him for the programme.
"The Talent Programme is a fantastic opportunity to advance at a pace that would not normally have been possible, although progression is not guaranteed. Regular UEFA appointments together with intensive coaching and guidance are benefits that can only improve my refereeing skills together with those of my colleagues who will assist me on these appointments,” said Mr Stokes.
“I am also looking forward to working with my mentor Karl-Erik Nilsson from Sweden and to learning from his vast knowledge and experience. It has been a very positive start to the year as I have recently been upgraded to Grade 3 in the UEFA rankings and I look forward to applying myself to the challenges that the new grade and the Talent Programme have to offer," he concluded.
Meanwhile Alan Kelly has recently been upgraded to a Grade 2 UEFA referee, which will see him officiate at matches of increasing importance in 2005. He puts much of his success in Europe down to his participation in the mentoring scheme, where he spent his final year under the tutelage of Peter Jones, former FIFA and FA Cup Final Referee.
In other news, with UEFA’s encouragement, the FAI has been working hard on a Referee Exchange Programme with the IFA and the Scottish FA. Indeed this week sees history being made as Scottish referee, Brian Winter, takes charge of the Cork City v Drogheda Utd game in Turners Cross.
In exchange, Neil Doyle will be relishing the opportunity to officiate in Hampden Park, Glasgow, for the Scottish League game Queens Park v Elgin City. Later this month Paul Tuite will travel to Northern Ireland to referee the Newry v Lisburn Distillery game in the Irish League. Pat Kelly, (Manager Referees Department), believes that this experience will be of huge benefit to up-and-coming referees, giving them the opportunity to referee clubs from a different Association in unfamiliar surrounds. This experience will benefit them greatly if they progress to the FIFA list in future years, and is further aid to the Association in developing the elite referees panel.