The BC Soccer Provincial B Boys Cup in Prince George will provide a unique opportunity for a couple of youth soccer refs from the South Cariboo.
Austin Appleby, 14, and Nevin Boyd, 18, are referees for the 100 Mile House & District Soccer Association. They have been invited to join the team of referees that will officiate at the July 4-7 championships, officially named the Les Sinnott Memorial Boys Provincial Cup.
They will work in the capacity of refs or assistant refs and each is expected to get at least one game per day.
Appleby is in his fourth year as a ref and he's looking forward to working in an environment of such high calibre.
“It's a very big step for me and I'm pretty excited. The highest I've done is a little bit for the Cariboo Youth Soccer League. I've gone past the learning curve here, so they (the association) wants me to go and learn more up there.”
He expects to pick up valuable pointers and get feedback from some top BC Soccer refs who will be officiating the event.
Both Appleby and Boyd are mentors for the younger refs in the local soccer association.