This is Debra Senior’s story…
One North East parent has completed a remarkable journey from the sidelines to being an award-winning volunteer. When Debra Senior travelled to London this summer to collect the North East Schools Match Official of the Year award before heading to Wembley as a guest of honour at the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final, it capped an extraordinary five years.
Her journey started back in 2011 when her sons, Ben and Callum, joined Cramlington Rockets as juniors. It was then that she got the bug. She said: “My involvement in Rugby League started by going to watch my two sons play. “At the time, I was washing the strips, managing the lost property, just generally helping out where I could.
“The club wanted new referees and coaches and I thought well, I was there anyway, so I would give it a go.” England star Kallum Watkins presents her award Under the guidance of the club’s other volunteers, she decided to try and complete the Match Officials qualification, building her experience up by helping referee the younger age groups at the club and across the North East in an environment that allowed her to learn.
Cramlington’s in-house referee, Nicky Beaty, himself a national Match Official of the Year nominee in 2014, was the one that saw her potential and took her under his wing. Senior added: “With the help of Nicky, a lot of phone calls and book reading I passed the referee course!
“I always had support from the club on the side-lines which gave me confidence until Nicky pushed me that I could manage on my own.” “Deb has always been very keen and enthusiastic about everything she does,” said Beaty.
“As her confidence grew, the opportunities were there for her to start helping out the schools competitions and following that gradual path, she has become a familiar face on the school fields across the North East. “She has worked incredibly hard to better herself as a referee and has built up an excellent relationship with all the kids and teachers across North Tyneside and Northumberland.”
Beaty added: “All the time and effort that goes into the Champion Schools competition is completely voluntary, so it is great to see that all her hard work and time has been rewarded.”
With Champions Schools proving increasingly popular across the North East, as typified by Astley High’s Year 10 Girls winning the national competition in 2015, the efforts of volunteers like Debra is increasingly vital. “I love being with the younger boys and girls,” added Senior. “It is great to see the young ones enjoying themselves.”
Speaking about her award, Senior said: “Receiving the award made me feel quite proud of myself and thankful that Nicky’s hard work had paid off. “It also keeps me fit as I have to run to keep up with the kids! I’ve still a lot to learn.” “We are really proud of Debra for winning this award,” added Cramlington Rockets Chairman, Jeff Ball.
“I remember when she came down to the club many years ago and was always a keen supporter. “We love to see the Rockets Family and ‘Rockets Mams’ get involved in rugby league in whatever way they can and to see how Deb has progressed is a great example to anyone else thinking about taking that first step into volunteering.” Want to follow in Debra’s footsteps? For more information on becoming a Match Official, click HERE www.rugby-league.com/get_involved/match_officials/becoming_a_match_official