ONE Appleton teenager’s national prize could pave the way for more youngsters to get involved in officiating sport.

Louis Norton, from Warrington Warjukwai JC, took home the Young Referee of the Year Award at the 2015 British Judo Awards earlier this month.

The 14-year-old’s award was in recognition not only of his refereeing ability and commitment at major competitions, such as the British Schools Championships where he was voted Best Young Referee of the Day and the UK School Games where he operated cameras, but also his standing in his area.

The Bridegwater Community High School student is well regarded by both senior referees and local clubs who often specifically ask for him to referee at their competitions.

“He’s done ever so well. He’s not stopped smiling since,” said dad Ian.

“It was nice for him, mixing with the great and good of British Judo.

"It’s good for someone of his age and he’s recently started refereeing adults at a local level. It’s quite disciplined and he has support from another two referees on the sideline.”

The youngster took up judo six years ago and was encouraged to try the officiating side of the sport.

“Louis started going to judo club when he was about eight, he was entering competitions and doing ok,” added Ian.

“He was never going to be the greatest fighter in the world and it got to the stage when he was about 12, and stepped up an age group, that he was fighting kids who were much bigger, older and stronger – so his instructor said to do a refereeing course.

“He’s getting back to competing at a local level as he needs to compete to get the required grades for his refereeing.”

And Norton, who plays at Warrington Town, is toying with becoming a football referee, too.

Ian said: “He plays football on a Sunday and some of his mates talked about doing a football refereeing course.”