Moray and Banff Referees to host officiating course as Megan Mckay (18) encourages others to get involved
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A TEENAGER who has come through the football officiating ranks at lightning-quick speed is encouraging others to get involved.
Fochabers-based Megan Mckay (18) passed an introductory course run by Moray and Banff Referees' during lockdown and has already begun running the line at Highland League matches.
She also refereed at the Costa Blanca Cup in Benidorm, Spain, in June, taking charge of five or six 70-minute youth matches a day, covering teams from as far afield as Jamaica and The United States.
Moray and Banff Referees are set to host another course, starting on October 27 and running for a number of Thursdays, with instructors hosting face-to-face classes at Borough Briggs in Elgin.
There's also an option to complete the course online – as Megan did during lockdown.
Either way, she is encouraging anyone considering getting involved – especially young girls like herself – to do so.
"It was just suggested to me as a way to make a wee bit of extra money," Megan explained. "But I love it.
"I'm the only girl in Moray and Banff but it can be a welcoming environment. It's a tight-knit group and it's only going to grow and expand among women.
"I didn't realise quite how many opportunities there are out there and how quickly you are put forward for them.
"Give it a try – if it's not your cup of tea then that's OK but try it out and you will be surprised by how enjoyable it is."
Megan is now a Category 5 official and can often be spotted on the line at Highland League matches, or refereeing junior games.
However, she is aiming higher still, adding that her aim is "to see how far I can go in refereeing".
"It's been really quick but I absolutely love it," she said. "It did come as a surprise how quickly they push you into the deep end but it's worth it.
"The local instructors were amazing, I couldn't do it without them."
