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IRISH
OFFICIALS ATTEND 2004 EFAF OFFICIATING CLINIC
IN FINLAND
IAFOA
Officials (left to right), Michael Smith,
Steve Stacher, Oskar Nilsson & Cillian
Smith at the 2004 EFAF Officiating Clinic
in Finland.
4
Officials from the Irish American Football
Officials Association attended the 2004
EFAF Officiating Clinic in Jarvenpaa, Finland
from 20-23 February. The Officiating Clinic
is organised annually and is attended by
Officials from domestic leagues across Europe,
who hope to improve their skills, with a
view to officiating in EFAF tournaments
such at the EuroBowl and European Championship.
This year's clinic was hosted by AJEK, the
Finnish Officials Association.
The
clincians (trainers) included Rom Gilbert,
one of the top officials from the SEC Conference
(College football in USA); former NFL Europe
Official Ari Ollila and former Superbowl
Official Jim Daopoulos, who is now Director
of Officiating for NFL Europe. Over 60 offiicals
from all across Europe attended the the
clinic. The clinic included classroom sessions,
presentations and video material. In addition,
4 Officials from the EFAF panel were hired
by NFL Europe for the 2004 season.
However,
it wasn't all hard work in Finland - most
of the officials, including 3 of the Irish
Officials (Steve opted out) took the opportunity
to go on an evening snow shoe hike across
a frozen lake and through a forest. The
hike was followed by some traditional Finnish
drinks and raindeer meat for dinner. The
Irish officials also renewed acquaintances
with some old friends including Veikko Lamminsalo,
who used to officate in the IAFL (now officiates
in Finnish League) and Jim Briggs from Britain
who officiated in the first ever game involving
an Irish team back in 1983.
The
venue for next years clinic will be decided
at the upcoming EFAF AGM - probably either
Czech Republic or Russia. And some good
news for Irish American football - there
is a good possibilty that Ireland will be
chosen as the host country for the 2006
clinic.
Presentations
given at the clinic (including those relating
to new rules changes) can be found on the
clinc website - http://clinic2004.ajek.org
Cillian Smith, Veikko Lamminsalo & Oskar
Nilsson on the evening hike.
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