GARETH Hewer will be helping the next generation of rugby league match officials from the area start of on their journey when he returns to Barrow later this month.

The Super League referee from West Cumbria will be helping out on the introductory course at Hindpool Tigers’ Brisbane Park on Sunday, November 25, where attendees will learn the Laws of the Game and undertake the exam which will allow them to become registered match officials on passing.

Hewer has been helping out the Barrow & District Referees Society since taking up a development role for rugby league match officials in the county, and will be on hand to assist former Grade Two referee and now top assessor Barry Hartle, who is running the course.

At present, nine participants have signed up for it and the society are particularly encouraged by the fact five of those are under-16s who have expressed an interest in refereeing next season.

They will add to the growing ranks of under-18s who are part of the society, and have been refereeing youth matches along with acting as touch judges on National Conference League games in the area this year.

Those who take up refereeing on completing the course will have the opportunity to progress up the officiating ladder, and could follow the likes of Curtley Etchells and Seb Chromiak, who have both been involved on high-profile professional and amateur games recently.

There are still spaces available on the course on November 25 and anyone interested in taking up the whistle should contact Barrow & District Referees Society chairman Terry Barker via terry.rugby@outlook.com or by calling 01229 830698.