The end of the football season doesn’t send referees into hibernation for a few months. Our summer events programme started in late May with the County RA Quiz. Two teams represented Altrincham and had an enjoyable evening, bearing in mind that it’s the taking part that counts (Stockport won, again). As the weather heated up, so did our rivalry with our close neighbours. The Altrincham Refs v Stockport Refs cricket match was a success once again, and this time the result does matter (we won!). As thoughts turned towards the new season, a few of our members attended the RA Referee Development Weekend near Leicester, enjoying training sessions from multiple Premier League officials and the opportunity to network with referees from across the country. At the end of July we’ll have a number of members officiating in tournaments and pre-season friendlies, getting themselves ready for a flying start to the 2017/18 season!

Please be aware that the Greater Manchester Marathon will result in travel disruption in parts of the district on Sunday 2nd April. Plan your journeys accordingly. Details and a map are in the link below.

http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/files/8414/8672/6387/AGMM_2017_Diversion_Leaflet.pdf

For the first time, we are producing our own training film to use for the development of our referees, allowing us to focus on the specific areas that are relevant to the majority of our members. 
The team were out filming this morning. Huge thank yous go to: Stuart Kay and Anthony Taylor for organising; Tom Cassidy for being the referee; Dave Cross (http://weddingdaymedia.co.uk/) for filming; Colin Dowdy and all the staff, parents and players from Sale Utd for their time and enthusiastic participation; Stephen Brown and Dennis Phillips for their assistance. 

Congratulations to all officials on the following appointments to the 2016/17 Altrincham & District FA Cup Semi-Finals:

ADFA Senior Cup
Referee: Tom Cassidy
Assistant Referees: Freddie Gent and Tom O’Brien

Referee: Brian Coyne
Assistant Referees: James Watson and George Donovan

ADFA Sunday Senior Cup
Referee: Oliver Chow
Assistant Referees: Jack Reddington and James Memory

Referee: Mike Ransome
Assistant Referees: Matthew O’Shea and Nigel Peacock

Thank you to everyone who generously donated prizes and bought tickets in this important fundraising event for our society. The prizes were drawn during our Christmas Quiz and the full list of winners can be found here:
2016 Christmas Raffle Winners

A number of members have received an email from the RA asking them to renew their membership. We can reassure members that anyone who has renewed their membership through the Society does have active membership of the RA.

Anyone who has not yet renewed their membership should contact Steve Skilton immediately.