The Turkish Rugby League Association (TRLA) , in preparation for an application for full membership of both the Rugby League European Federation and also International Rugby League, chose to use its lockdown time efficiently by running on-line training modules to further develop the pool of match officials.
The training was supported by the RLEF and carried out by Andrew Pilkington, an approved Match Official Trainer. After completing their training and obtaining their certificates, candidates will no be able to take charge of games.
TRLA has also received further applications from potential match officials who have taken a taster session designed by TRLA to prepare them for the full course and examination.
There will be coaching courses online, designed to develop the existing coaching workforce, which in turn will feed through to the coaching at the clubs. It gives every club the chance to have fully qualified and recognised coaches.
The final stage is for TRLA to develop their own accredited educators who will ensure that all members have continuous access to training and development courses delivered locally and delivered by local trainers.
Andrew Pilkington who is a referee in the Spanish Rugby League system and who also officiates in the French League conducted the training and commented;
"I've been in contact with TRLA since the end of last summer when I covered the two domestic internationals against Greece in Edirne while also leading a RLEF level 1 MO course.
"It was apparent that they have a clear vision for what they want to achieve with their match official education and are committed to working hard towards that.
"In both the course carried out in Edirne and the current online sessions there are a number of interested, motivated and promising officials who are definitely moving in the right direction. My experiences with RLEF education have always been extremely positive and I hope that I have been able to pass on some of that knowledge to this group of match officials and help them advance like I have been able to."