GOALKEEPER Jack Massey, 15, has just completed his FA referee qualifications and will now get to be in charge of East Lancashire matches.
Jack, who is in Year 10 at Haslingden High School, said: “I have been playing football all my life and am a goalkeeper with Littleborough Junior U15 Yellow team.
“I was interested in becoming a referee because I was looking for something to do as a part-time job and my mum spotted the course in Sheffield.”
He had completed six online modules, including safeguarding before he attended the course in Sheffield at St George’s Park over half-term.
Jack said: “There was a three-hour session on the Wednesday evening all about theory and then a full day on the Sunday going through theory and practical situations, kit and current regulations within the league.
“I now get to play football and I will get paid to referee matches; it is my way of giving something back.”
He will be a trainee referee for his first five games and will initially be refereeing U11s and U12s matches.
Jack said: “As a referee you have to be confident and you need to make sure everyone knows you are in charge. You have to be resilient, be confident in the decisions you make and stick to them.
“Hopefully, I may get to a point when I am 18, if I am still refereeing, that it may be something I might like to consider doing professionally.”