ENCOURAGING the match officials of the future is the objective of the West Devon Referee's Academy.

Part of the Devon County Football Association programme the academy at Crowndale sees youngsters aged between 13-17 years-old being guided and put through their paces by experienced, qualified officials such Tavistock area manager John Simpson; Roger Cole, county manager Plymouth area; James Taylor, academy coach/mentor and Ian Rothwell, area manager Plymouth.

As part of their training the young refs acted as referees and linesmen this week when many of the best young players in the West Country and South Wales paraded their talents at Crowndale on Sunday morning.

Plymouth Argyle have been granted use of the £1 million plus state-of-the-art facilities in Crowndale Road for their Centre of Excellence schoolboy games for all age groups from U9-U15s.

Other clubs to be visiting the town during the course of the season are Swindon Town, Oxford United, Cheltenham Town, Bristol Rovers, AFC Bournemouth, Exeter City and Torquay United.

Commented Argyle's head of youth development Gordon Bennett said: 'We are most grateful to everyone at the various football clubs in Tavistock who have jointly agreed to help us in this way, especially Bernard Harding, John Mulley and Martin Harris.

'The facilities are amongst the best in the whole of the West Country and we are privileged to be allowed to use them.'

The Crowndale complex was opened in 2009 and jointly funded by the Football Foundation, Tavistock Town Council and the local Tavistock football clubs.

n The next Argyle Centre of Excellence fixtures being played at Crowndale is Yeovil Town U9/11/12/15 on January 29; next month: Exeter City U10/12/14 on February 5; Swansea City U9/10/14/15 on February 12; Swindon Town U11/12/13.