Courtesy: This is Grimsby


Gavin seeking success for England as leading futsal referee

GRIMSBY'S Gavin Sartain is targeting Euro 2012 and UEFA Cup success for England – as a leading international futsal referee.

The 27-year-old has his sights on the sport's top events after becoming the second referee from England to achieve FIFA accreditation after Derby's Marc Birkett made the list in 2008.

Sartain began officiating five years ago in the Grimsby Futsal League, now an established seven-division competition across all ages for the five-a-side indoor variant of football.

Sartain, an electrician, was invited to referee at the annual FA Futsal Cup before achieving selection for the FA's national league, which comprises north, midland and south conferences.

Last year he was chosen to referee the league's Grand Final, involving the top two teams nationally, the winners of which qualify for the UEFA Futsal Cup.

He refereed at the 2010 FA Futsal Four Nations Tournament, involving teams from England, Finland, Malta and Turkey, as well as a friendly between England and Andorra, in Loughborough.

International opportunities arose: he refereed at the Women's Futsal Cup of Nations in Portugal and an England friendly away to Macedonia in Skopje.

And Sartain's successful performances as the man in black led to a successful FA nomination for him to be registered on the FIFA list.

He said: "The last year has been the most challenging and I have achieved the unthinkable.

"From refereeing local park futsal to refereeing across Europe, it's a privilege and an honour to represent the FA, my country and my colleagues.

"There are some important events coming up – Euro 2012 and the UEFA Futsal Cup.

"I hope to establish myself on the FIFA list and enjoy the new challenges ahead.

"I started refereeing on the league by chance. I was training for a local Sunday league team and I was told there was a new futsal league starting which needed referees.

"I made some enquires and the rest is history.

"My promotion to the FIFA list shows that the game is growing and developing in the right direction.

"I hope that I can maintain my FIFA status and progress with this new chapter in my refereeing career.

"A lot of my spare time is taken up by refereeing. My career wouldn't be what it is without the support of my wife, family and friends."

Sartain believes futsal will become more and more popular internationally, as well as in Grimsby.

"It is still developing as a game in this country," said Sartain, also a level four referee in 11-a-side football.

"Physically, it's very demanding, and it's played with pace, flare and skill.

"Sometimes players produce breathtaking skills during games."

To get into refereeing, contact Phil Josling at the Lincs FA on 08449 670708.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com