The National Refereeing Commission (NRC) are pleased to announce that Andrew Tremlett of the Southern Area has passed his Continental Referee examination in Turkey during the weekend of the 16 and 17 July in Istanbul, Turkey.

Andrew flew out with his mentor Roger Down to attend the examination at the Senior European Cup in Istanbul alongside 14 other candidates from Europe.

During the weekend he had to referee some high level judo and was involved in the final blocks which reassured his mentor Roger Down, that he was on the right path for success.

Andrew is the first referee to be involved in a pilot scheme which is being overseen by Elaine Down, the National Technical Official Volunteers Development Officer and Neil Lawcock, the International Referee Co-ordinator with the approval of the NRC. The scheme is that any individual who is on the Continental Programme can choose an experienced IJF Referee who is also a mentor, to support them through the programme. They then have the opportunity of attending several events abroad to gain valuable experience and immediate feedback.

Whilst speaking with Andy after the weekend, he confirmed that he went into the exam only having to worry about the exam and nothing else. Because he had experienced all the others areas whilst being on the programme i.e. care system, monitoring by the commission, refereeing with non- English speaking referees, random selections of fights etc.. This therefore allowed him total concentration on the fights and not the other aspects of the examination process. He felt the consistent feedback from the same mentor at each event was invaluable and had he not had this, he may not of been ready for the examination.

Elaine and the NRC are extremely pleased for Andy’s and wish him success in the future and the positive outcome of the mentoring scheme in the continental programme, and would also like to take this opportunity to thank Roger Down for all his hard work and support he has given during the pilot scheme.

The NRC hope to continue with this scheme in the future, which is dependent on financial support from the BJA funding partners.