The West Riding School of Excellence exists to help those referees who demonstrate outstanding potential to achieve their goal of reaching the professional game.

The group will be led by Andy Madley, a National list referee who is actively involved with The Football League. Andy, as well as brother Bobby have both achieved incredible successes in the game, and are keen to help nurture the next generation of match officials.

Andy commented "It is a privilege to lead these candidates on their journey to become elite level referees. They all already referee regularly, and have demonstrated the potential to become professional match officials. I hope that one day, a number of the young referees in this group will end up in the professional game, and carry on the rich refereeing heritage we have in West Riding"

Each candidate will commit to a fitness programme with periodic fitness tests measured to the same levels expected of referees already in the professional game. In addition, regular development meetings will take place on a regular basis, including one-to-one mentoring with an assigned coach/mentor. 

Mark Haywood, Referee Development Officer at West Riding County F.A commented "This will be the best support network ever set up by West Riding County F.A and will we hope continue the good work of previous School of Excellence groups! I am confident that the next Jon Moss, Martin Atkinson or Bobby Madley will emerge from the group in the coming years"