Last week was another week away at BT Murrayfield for my MA development. We had a really interesting presentation on drugs in sport but most of the week was a catch up and observation on how our coaching was coming along.

Former Scotland and Glasgow Warriors captain Jon Petrie came to talk to us about what it takes to become a professional in the sport which was great. Hearing those kinds of experiences from someone who has done it all is great learning for us.

When I got back home I was at training on Saturday and on Sunday I ran the line for our U16s game against Caithness. It's much different from reffing the game but it's good to practice getting things right on the touchline and making sure you support the ref, and be able to watch other refs in action which helps me learn how to be a good ref.

This week of course I'll be doing the South Lodge/Park minis festival with Nicola on thursday. The Ross Sutherland minis festival is on Sunday but I won't be there as I'll be playing for the U18s against Moray/Huntly.

I'm back in schools this week too and I'll be going to Obsdale, Newmore, and Milton primaries this month. This is my last month in Invergordon and Alness academies for a while but hopefully I'll get back after January. I'll still be coaching the Alness U16s though.

Mitchell