Guernsey’s football stadium has agreed deals with two local referees to support their professional development in the beautiful game at home, and abroad.
Victoria Park, the home of local football, will support sponsorship deals for Tom Strawbridge and Brent Blondel to help them develop their refereeing careers.
Both men have played competitive football locally and transitioned to referring but have been hampered in their development because Guernsey has not been party to training routes to access the national league system.
But now Guernsey-based match officials can progress to these higher levels and Victoria Park wanted to support local officials to gain experience because of the lack of opportunities to referee locally.
The sponsorship will enable the pair to travel regularly to the UK, allowing them to gain experience officiating at new grounds, working with different clubs, and learning alongside UK-based match officials.
Victoria Park has also established links with Puma, the official kit partner of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). Through this partnership, both referees have been supplied with official Puma kit to wear when travelling and officiating.
Rob Jones, Victoria Park Director, said: “Part of our mission statement is to support enhanced experiences and create a lifelong journey within the game. Victoria Park already does this for local players, coaches, officials and supporters, and with this sponsorship, we are extending that commitment by supporting these two ambitious referees as they focus on developing their careers off-island.
“Tom and Brent’s dedication to challenging themselves at a higher level is exemplary. If they can become pioneers for future aspiring officials, then that will be a fantastic achievement – and we are extremely proud to play a small part in helping realise that goal.”
Strawbridge said the move would “pave the way” for people to go on a match officiating journey.
“I’d like to progress as far up the ladder as possible. Who knows what that level is, but Victoria Park’s support is already allowing me to officiate at a level that wasn’t previously possible, and I’m incredibly grateful to the team for their backing,” he said.
Blondel said the biggest barrier to career development was the cost of travelling to the UK and the sponsorship would provide “huge support.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunities it will open up, and hope it will set an example for future Guernsey referees as they come through the ranks,” he added.