Four seminars for EIHA’s on-ice officials have been hailed a success by the Association’s new head of training and development Joy Johnston.
The Romford born official, who has refereed at the very highest level, told attendees at Coventry this past weekend that she is unlikely to step on the ice again to referee – her final game being the Olympic Womens Final of Sochi 2014.
Johnston told EIHAtv: “This post is the natural next step for me. The English Ice Hockey Association is where I learnt my trade, and having gone on to three Olympic Games, refereed a bronze medal game and gold medal game, I’d pretty much done everything I could on the ice.
“When I was approached about the role I thought it was a perfect opportunity for me to give something back to my home association, but also to help create a programme that could allow other people to achieve what I have in the sport.”
Since Sochi, Johnston has worked under the guidance of the IIHF with a two year placement in Abu Dhabi as well as being brought into the world governing body’s Referee Supervisor programme.
This experience has allowed her to join the EIHA Referee Section as Head of Training & Development – bringing ideas and experience from the very highest level to help shape the domestic officials’ career pathway.
“I think we can have a world class officiating development programme here. We’ve always punched above our weight internationally in terms of our officials getting international assignments, but there’s no reason why we can’t have someone else achieve what I have – or even more,” said Johnston.
Full video: https://youtu.be/bf3ecPBGf8w