Back in the Saddle: A Referee's Journey by Bike and Whistle

In my new refereeing league, I’m now leading lower-tier teams. The games are closer to home, which makes it easier for me to get to matches and spend less time travelling.

Last weekend, the Dutch FA assigned me a match just across the river from where I live. It was a short trip—20 minutes by bike, including a ferry ride, or about the same by car using the motorway bridge.

I decided to make the most of the chance and cycle to the game, taking the passenger ferry just outside town. It was a lovely, relaxing ride, as the photo shows, though it was also a bit of a workout and pretty chilly on this Saturday morning!

At the home team’s clubhouse, I got a familiar reaction I’ve seen a few times this season: "We have a real referee!" I’d already seen from the roster that this was a local derby with U17 boys, most of whom knew each other from school. Losing wasn’t an option for either team, and they definitely preferred having an experienced ref rather than a junior one.

After the chilly morning bike ride and the river crossing, I felt calm and ready for the game. My muscles were loose, and they held up throughout the match. Plus, we were playing on real grass—a bonus for the weekend.

It was a good game, if I may say so myself. I handed out a few yellow cards to players who were a bit too eager, and there was a clear handball in the box, leading to a penalty kick. Not much arguing there. The home team won, and I received the usual thank-you-ref handshakes. Then it was back on the bike to the ferry and, for a real work-out closure, up a steep hill to get home.

All in all, another solid match, and I think it’s safe to say this referee is back in business!