Rob Antle of St. John’s has been appointed chair of officials for the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association. His appointment was announced by Association president Doug Redmond.

“We are extremely pleased to have Rob Antle accept this important position,” Redmond said. “Soccer continues to grow and with increased players, teams and leagues there is a great need for more and more qualified officials.”

“Rob Antle has an officiating career that is overflowing with experience and respect and we are confident he will provide the leadership and knowledge that soccer needs.”

Antle’s whistle blowing career started more than 20 years ago within St.. John’s minor soccer. The Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association nominated him to the national program in 1997; he served as a national referee from 1999 until his retirement in 2007

He worked Canadian championships at all levels, from youth soccer to university to Challenge Cup. He officiated five seasons in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, a professional league with teams in Canada, the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In 2004, Rob represented Canada at the Ballymena International Tournament in Northern Ireland.

In total, he was appointed to nine international matches as referee, assistant referee or fourth official, the first in the middle of Scotland-Austria under-17s at Larne, Northern Ireland, in 2004; the final holding the whistle for the Canada-China women’s friendly that re-opened King George V in St. John’s two years later.

He assumes his responsibilities immediately.