24 March 2019 — The second round of the SAFA National Referees Mid-season Workshop kicked off on Saturday, following a successful first round which saw 10 new faces being appointed to serve on the national panel in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
The second round of this workshop will run from today (24 March) up until 27 March 2019.
The retired 2004/05 and 2008/09 PSL Referee of the Season said he was pleased with the level of commitment of those who had passed the fitness test in the first group.
“We are happy with the level of commitment the first group showed during their time here,” Damon said. “They put in the required work and even went an extra mile for the benefit of their self development.
“On Friday night,” Damon added. “We had an optional class where everybody was not obliged to attend. However, they all came. And that is the kind of commitment we are looking for.”
Meanwhile, Damon applauded SAFA’s NEC Member and Chairperson of the National Referees Committee, Anastasia Tsichlas, for her continued commitment in making time to speak and listen to all of the challenges her match officials are encountering on a daily basis in their line of work.
“That is just how madam chairperson leads,” Damon said of Tsichlas in admiration. “She is more interested in what our referees are going through, other than hearing it from her technical committee.
“That is just brilliant in my view.
“In fact, I believe that is exceptional leadership. Exceptional, because she connects with them on a personal level and they are also never afraid to tell her what they are really going through. It is this where practical solutions are formed and then later implemented.”