Unique match-official line-up includes dad, mom, and son in Faroe Islands

Something pretty extraordinary happened on Saturday during the women’s European Silver League match contested in the Faroe Islands and featuring the national teams of Austria and North Macedonia. The role of first referee was taken by the recently appointed Faroese international referee Dávið Ryan, supported by second referee Katarina Cepinova from England. However, the overall constellation of match officials was quite unique.

David’s parents were indeed the line judges for this match, thereby accounting for a rather extraordinary family affair. This was no ad-hoc arrangement, since David’s mother and father have been playing a key role in the Faroese refereeing community for many years. Father Jan Hentze is a former international referee, whereas mum Rúna Hentze is a very experienced national referee.

The three took a picture to remember this special moment. The 24-year-old Ryan, who works as a manager in a mechanical workshop, has played Volleyball himself and attended an International Referee Candidate Course held last year in Sofia, Bulgaria.