WaiBOP referee Loryn Orr, 20, participated in the Kanga Referee Youth Academy (KRYA) from July 7 to 12, 2024. 

Orr, from Hamilton, was joined by Michael Story, from Rotorua, and Waikato Youth Development Co-ordinator Nadia Murrihy Browning, who was a referee coach for the week.

She described the experience as an incredible opportunity for learning and growth. Orr expressed her gratitude to WaiBOP Football and KRYA for making her participation possible.

She initially doubted she could attend due to starting her refereeing journey later than most. "I’m so grateful I had this opportunity," she said. "I was a bit older than most of the others (14-16 year olds), but it was a fantastic learning experience."

Tournaments, with so many games in a short window of time, allow referees to get feedback and implement it right away. 

"We refereed 3-4 games each day, and when not officiating, we watched other games. Each evening, we reviewed our games, and we received feedback from both our referee coach and peers. Everyone picks up different things, and hearing multiple perspectives is so valuable."

A highlight of her week was being selected to assistant referee an Australian NPL U23 game. She also refereed the U18 Girls Final, with the other WaiBOP referee, Michael Story, an assistant referee on that game.

Having played football her whole life, Orr began refereeing two years ago, encouraged by her mother-in-law, who is also a referee. "I ran the line a few times for my mother-in-law, and she pushed me to pick up the whistle," Orr shared.

In her first year as a referee, Orr balanced playing and officiating, but medical issues have since limited her to social leagues. 

Describing herself as "hard-headed", Orr says she's learned to hold back her initial reactions. 
She acknowledged the isolating nature of refereeing, where every call can be subject to disagreement. "I love football. After a game, I sometimes doubt myself. I always reflect on my performance to see what I could improve. My job as a referee is to make the game the best it can be for the players.”

She says one of the huge benefits for referees at referee academies like the Kanga Cup was the support and community from other referees. “It really helps to have a network of other who you can talk to” she says. 

Orr believes referees need a thick skin and the ability to communicate effectively with everyone, and she believes that refereeing has helped her own confidence. 

The Kanga Cup –July 7 to 12, 2024 - is the largest International Youth Football Tournament in the Southern Hemisphere, with age groups ranging from U9 to U18 for both boys and girls teams. KYRA is a residential academy for 50 interstate and international referees which is run alongside the tournament. 

Each year, the WaiBOP Referee Advisory Group look to identify two young, talented referees from the region to travel to KYRA, to experience football at different levels and further their development. 

The week-long event proudly champions the mission of Uniting the Youth of the World through Football, and is run by Capital Football, the governing body for football in Canberra.

Article added: Wednesday 07 August 2024