THE hunt for York's next Matt Messias is on.

Premiership referee Messias learned his trade on North Yorkshire's park pitches and now a new breed of teenage whistle-blowers are being put through their paces at York City's Wigginton Road training ground every Sunday morning.

The Referee Academy, which was formed at the beginning of this season, is providing budding officials, aged between 14 and 20, with a platform to learn the necessary skills required to be a successful man in the middle, while taking charge of or running the line at York City academy matches.

York City and the North Riding FA have joined forces in an attempt to encourage young referees and bring an end to the declining numbers of officials in local leagues.

And, so far, it is working.

Chris Dale, chairman of the North Riding Referees' Committee, said: "Eighteen months ago we were hardly retaining any referees.

"They did the course and got cheesed off after two or three months and gave it up. Now our strike-rate of retaining referees has become phenomenal.

"The number of referees in the John Smith's Sunday League has doubled from 14 to 28 in just four months and if we don't replace the guys who are getting older we would end up without any referees."

The academy is part of the new recruitment success with young referees cutting their teeth at Wigginton Road and gaining confidence in local junior matches as well before being given senior league responsibilities.

Dale added: "We want to encourage and train young referees in a safe environment.

"They are taking charge of York City academy games from under sevens to under-16s and are gaining confidence without suffering abuse from the touchlines.

"Once they are 16 they can then apply for promotion into the local senior leagues at the weekend.

"Clubs have welcomed the scheme and they understand that the lads are learning the trade so it has been a good public relations exercise."

An important aspect of the new scheme is that the referees also have a mentor - an older experienced official - who watches their games and then offers any advice or listens to any concerns.

There are now 14 mentors in York and local former Football League linesman Graham Bradbury is chairman of the academy while ex-Premiership referee Alan Wilkie has also been very supportive.

The FA are hoping that referee academies will be set up in conjunction with professional football clubs up and down the country and a meeting in December is designed to introduce one in Scarborough.

Dale said: "York City have been absolutely fantastic, especially Steve Beck from the board and chief executive Keith Usher.

"Given this chance the youngsters will make progress as the FA want to fast-track any that are particularly promising and we have already had three of four that have the potential to be superb referees."

Anybody interested in attending the Scarborough academy should call Chris on 01904 705102.

There is to be a presentation to a dozen newly-qualified referees on December 9 at the next York Referees' Association meeting at New Earswick Indoor Bowls Club.

The 12 graduations follow the successful running of a course at York University from October through to the start of this month.

Updated: 11:32 Saturday, December 04, 2004