Rugby League: Teenage Widnes Society referees seek Wembley appointment

Feb 17 2011 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A TRIO of teenage rugby league match officials could yet be blowing their whistle – or flying the flag – for Widnes at Wembley.

Widnes Referees’ Society junior members Mike Bannerman, Jamie Greenhalgh and Marcus Griffiths, all 16, have been embarking on a series of matches which could lead to them appearing on the British game’s biggest stage.

Two of them were among a group of young match officials for the first set of North West finals in the Carnegie Champion Schools competition at Leigh Sports Village.

Griffiths took charge of the Year 7 (under 12s) boys final between Rainford of St Helens and St Peter’s (Wigan) with Bannerman as reserve official for the 8-8 draw.

The pair, who both live in Widnes, will get a further chance to impress next month when the regional deciders resume.

Greenhalgh – son of Widnes Society secretary Louise Greenhalgh – from Warrington is to join them at Broughton Park on Tuesday, March 15.

Bannerman is man in the middle for the Year 9 (U14s) boys clash of Widnes’ Wade Deacon and St Peter’s with Griffiths this time the reserve official.

Greenhalgh will run a line for the all-Wigan battle between Year 10 (U15) boys from St John Fisher and St Edmond Arrowsmith.

Louise Greenhalgh said: “When I spoke to Marcus, he said there were no issues in his (Year 7) game and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

“Jamie is also refereeing in the Rochdale Schools Competition on Wednesday this week , when players will be identified for regional selection at the same time as the Carnegie Champion Schools Cup games.”

The age-grouped Champion Schools tournament culminates in the national stages with the chance of a Wembley outing for some finalists and also aspiring referees and touch judges.

Peter Brooke, match officials development officer at the Rugby Football League, said: “Each year our junior officials continue to surpass our expectations and fight for a spot in the Wembley squad.

“The Carnegie Champion Schools Competition provides a unique opportunity rare in any sport for juniors to officiate at Wembley and picking this year’s squad going on these matches is going to be very, very tough.”

Having made the RFL’s graded list, Bannerman and Griffiths will be appointed as touch judges to Academy fixtures, involving professional club sides, throughout the season.

Both successfully completed the league’s fitness test at Robin Park, Wigan, in December.

Anyone interested in becoming a match official should e-mail Peter Brooke at peter.brooke@rfl.uk.com or telephone 07738131790.