From the grassroots pitches where young players are taking their first steps in football, to the biggest stages in the country, match officials play a vital role in making football happen across Scotland every week.

Every month the Scottish FA Refereeing team will be nominating an official in the Refereeing Spotlight, to highlight someone making a difference in their local association.

We’ll hear more about their motivations, discover what inspired them to take up refereeing, and find out what makes the role so rewarding. Most importantly, we’ll be showcasing the people who give their time to support players, clubs and communities and help ensure football can be enjoyed by everyone.

In the first of a monthly series, Neil Macritchie from the Isle of Lewis tells us all about his refereeing career. A 36 year old, Category 5 referee, he has been involved in refereeing for around 13 years.

“I started refereeing around 13 years ago. A friend of mine was going along to the local referee entry course and asked me to go along with him for a bit of company. I decided to give it a go, and I’ve never looked back since. What started as simply accompanying a friend turned into something I really enjoy and have continued to develop over the years.”

“My main motivation is simply my love of football. Refereeing gives me the opportunity to stay involved in the game that I enjoy, while also playing an important role in allowing players and teams to enjoy their football. I also enjoy the challenge that refereeing brings and the opportunity to continually improve.”

While Neil’s motivations are rooted in a love of the game, his ambitions within refereeing also reach toward the future of the game in Scotland and in his community.

“My ambition is to progress as far up the referee grades as I possibly can. I want to continue developing my own refereeing, learning from every game and challenging myself to improve.”

“Looking beyond my own career, I’d also like to help encourage, support and coach the next generation of referees. In particular, I’d like to play a part in improving the standards of refereeing on the Isle of Lewis and helping more people get involved in refereeing and develop their skills.”

Neil has benefited enormously from having a mentor to guide him through refereeing;

“My main supporter has been my fellow referee and good friend, Iain Macdonald, who is also a referee on the island. Having someone who understands the challenges and experiences of refereeing, and who is there to support and encourage you, has been a big help throughout my refereeing journey.”

Learn more about refereeing and how to get involved here, Be Part of the Game, Be a Referee .