Join Moray and Banff Referees says young Elgin whistler who has officiated youth games involving Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid and at Las Vegas University as well as his local Highland League
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Those who say they could never, ever become a football referee might just benefit from a chat with Rhys Jones.
The 21-year-old apprentice joiner would certainly urge you to sign up with the Moray and Banff Referees group that gave him a potential pathway towards the highest level of the Scottish game - and beyond.
Already in his short career he has blown the whistle at top European and USA youth tournaments, sharing time on the pitch of future stars at the likes of Paris St Germain, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
One of them is the son of Real Madrid legend Marcelo, who won the Champions League five times and became Los Blancos' most decorated player ever when he won his 25th trophy with the club last year.
Jones knew the limitations of his own footballing ability as a teenager, but found a different way to clamber up the rankings.
He was well aware of the stigma attached when he joined his local referees' association at the age of 16, initially looking to make some extra cash out of his school study time at Elgin Academy.
"All my pals were still playing football and I was the first one to take the step back and start refereeing," he recalled.
"The stick I got for doing that - but now I don’t get any stick at all. They all love to see how far I am going.
"Once you get into refereeing, the world’s your oyster. The more you put in, the more you get back.
Within a year of signing up for Moray and Banff, Jones had progressed from refereeing local youth matches to running the line in the Highland League, and even the Covid break couldn't quell his ambition.
"There was a rough start with the refereeing getting back up-and-running, and I was seeking opportunities to go travelling at the time," he revealed.
"I stumbled across a guy I knew who went to China to referee. So when I was given the chance to go to Madrid with some of the best youth teams in Europe and across the world, I went for it.
"I was refereeing the likes of PSG, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Porto and Flamengo from Brazil."
Such was the impression he made in the Spanish tourney, he was appointed to referee one of the group finals between PSG and Atletico - and that led to another lucrative overseas appointment.
"Someone who was watching that game invited me afterwards to referee at a tournament in Las Vegas (in January this year)."
He made the Stateside trip, officiating in matches over the five-day event before getting three days to himself to explore some of the numerous sights and bright lights of the Nevada city.
"Vegas was amazing. There were hundreds of pitches and all the finals were played at Las Vegas University’s American football pitch where there is a big stadium and I got to do one of the finals there.
"It was college teams and it was a big deal for everyone over there. I enjoyed that, it was a different experience.
"Even doing the women’s games over there, the crowds they pick up are quite crazy compared to here. There is more emphasis on it and it was good to see."
Once again, Jones' refereeing performances caught the eye, and he has been invited back over the Atlantic to do tournaments in Boston in May and San Diego at the end of the year.
Very much a shining example of what can be achieved in football refereeing with a touch of ambition, the category 4 development official is encouraging others to make the same step he did.
"There’s kind of a stigma with being a referee; that it doesn’t seem that cool and everyone should want to play football.
"In my eyes you can potentially go a lot further than some of your friends that are still playing football.
"I feel that football is still a part of my life and if I wasn’t doing it I would be just sitting at home watching it or going to the occasional game, rather than being involved in the sport
"It gives you a sense of purpose at the weekend. I feel I always have an agenda.
"On Saturdays I have a routine and it’s great. When I get Saturdays off due to the weather I miss it and I’m raring to go for the next one.
"The best advice is just to go for it and don’t worry about what everyone else says."
Jones says he has made many friends through refereeing, not just within the Moray and Banff group but through his international travels.
"I’ve been speaking to referees down south and learning about the experiences they have, it doesn’t seem as quite a tight knit group as Moray and Banff.
"Everyone there knows each other and are friendly with each other. No-one is trying to be better than anyone else.
"If I had known before where the path that I find myself on now could lead, I would have jumped on it a long time before.
"There was eight of us from all over Europe who went out to the Vegas tournament. I got to meet all sorts of people and I still stay in touch with them.
"The best bit about the Madrid trip, my first one, there were two other guys from Scotland there and I still stay in touch with them and I have made good friends there."
Moray and Banff Referees connect all of their new recruits with a more experienced 'mentor' ref, and Jones was partnered up with rising Moray talent Harry Bruce.
Bruce (26) was a similar age to Jones when he became a ref and has since become one of the top Highland League officials as well as reffing last year's Scottish Youth Cup final at Hampden.
"Every referee that starts off gets a mentor, who is always there for you to help you find your feet," Jones said.
"As a young lad they are trying to push me on a bit to be like Harry. He is my mentor and it works perfectly for me."
The future looks bright for Jones, who could be in line for promotion next season. That would mean doing top junior matches in the area with the possibility of refereeing Highland League games as well.
"I’ve been told by many people in the refereeing industry, at my age I have time on my side and it’s great to already be at the level I am at," Jones added.
"So if I keep going the way I am, hopefully I can get even further."
Anyone interested in joining Moray and Banff Referees can email mbrefereecourse@gmail.com for more information.
Recruitment officer Harry Bruce said: "We can get them enrolled into the online course and provide support or speak about potential face-to-face courses if required."
