A Premier League referee came to Whittlesey to inspire young people and take part in a football festival.

Cambs Times: Peterborough & Fenland referee development scheme welcomed Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh to Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey. Picture: RWT PHOTOGRAPHYPeterborough & Fenland referee development scheme welcomed Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh to Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey. Picture: RWT PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

Chris Kavanagh was at Sir Harry Smith Community College to referee a match and talk to sports students.

The event was part of Peterborough and Fenland Referee Development Scheme.

Kavanagh followed the footsteps of FIFA referee Craig Pawson who visited in 2016 and Premier League referee Mike Jones who visited in 2017.

Cambs Times: Chris Kavanagh with Whittlesey young footballersChris Kavanagh with Whittlesey young footballers (Image: Archant)

Kavanagh spoke to sports students before taking part in a football festival where eight school teams played representing New Road, Alderman Jacobs, Coates and Park Lane.

Some of the teams were treated to the Premier League experience when Kavanagh took up the whistle to take charge of a match.

The Peterborough and Fenland Referee Development Scheme is part of the Whittlesey Sports Association which promotes participation and healthy activities in the town and villages.

Cambs Times: Chris Kavanagh with Whittlesey Mayor Councillor Julie WindleChris Kavanagh with Whittlesey Mayor Councillor Julie Windle (Image: Archant)

Chris Kavanagh became a select group one referee for the 2017/18 season after working his way up the football pyramid.

The Manchester-born referee started officiating in 1998 as a 13-year-old, plying his trade in local football, before being promoted to take charge of matches in the National League in 2012.

Kavanagh refereed in the Football League regularly from the 2014/15 season and in 2016/17 he was the man in the middle on 27 occasions for the English Football League Championship campaign.

Cambs Times: Peterborough & Fenland referee development scheme welcomed Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh to Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey. Picture: RWT PHOTOGRAPHYPeterborough & Fenland referee development scheme welcomed Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh to Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey. Picture: RWT PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)