Back from uni and two junior games this weekend, boys U14s today and girls U15s yesterday. Both games were one-sided home wins so passed without much incidents, but I wanted to give praise to the girls game in particular.
I was paid £35 for the girls game compared to the £25 I get from the U14s and it was so much easier. There was no dissent at all and no appealing for decisions, just two fouls all match, one completely accidental carelessly on the halfway line, and one that was intentional but not reckless, and the manager responded to the latter by subbing off the offending player. Both teams coaches encouraged the other players, and the away manager called me the best ref of the season, always a compliment after a 10-0 loss. And most importantly, the parents were mostly silent. Game was much more technical as well. I am not going to generalise and say all girls games are like this but from my experience it was a lot better than reffing boys junior games. More money, more fun, less hassle, win win.
Still on to the U15 girls game, this brings me on to another point, CARs. Away manager said he can never get anyone to run line and had no issues with home manager taking both flags cos home manager asked for them. Home coach took one and an U12 player took the other flag. And on to that note, the best CAR of the season. I only use CARs for ins and outs, no offsides, but he was constantly keeping up with play, giving a fair call each time. He was even doing the correct flag signal for subs (he was on bench side.) He seemed to be an aspiring official but it was great having him. But it does bring me on to a question. Is there a minimum age for CARS. I have looked in the league handbook before and never found one, but didnt know if it was same rules as refs. Although Id much rather have that lad than Barry who was on the piss last night, never moves from the halfway line but suddenly in the last minute is convinced he's spotted an offside 40 yards away despite my instructions to not call it.
Finally, an amusing story from the U14s game. I checked the goals beforehand and noticed there was a small spot where the ball could pass through and of course that happened. It wasn't aided by the fact the shot was not stopped by the keeper who looked like he could've stopped it, so I thought it had gone wide. As did the parents behind me with similar angle, with no celebrations. I get ready for goal kick as keeper grabs ball, before keeper kicks it to his dejected defenders who start moving towards halfway line for kick off. With me knowing it was a possibility I made the quick adjustment and just went with the flow. The game was 8-1 at this point so hardly a game changing decision but still an awkward moment.
I was paid £35 for the girls game compared to the £25 I get from the U14s and it was so much easier. There was no dissent at all and no appealing for decisions, just two fouls all match, one completely accidental carelessly on the halfway line, and one that was intentional but not reckless, and the manager responded to the latter by subbing off the offending player. Both teams coaches encouraged the other players, and the away manager called me the best ref of the season, always a compliment after a 10-0 loss. And most importantly, the parents were mostly silent. Game was much more technical as well. I am not going to generalise and say all girls games are like this but from my experience it was a lot better than reffing boys junior games. More money, more fun, less hassle, win win.
Still on to the U15 girls game, this brings me on to another point, CARs. Away manager said he can never get anyone to run line and had no issues with home manager taking both flags cos home manager asked for them. Home coach took one and an U12 player took the other flag. And on to that note, the best CAR of the season. I only use CARs for ins and outs, no offsides, but he was constantly keeping up with play, giving a fair call each time. He was even doing the correct flag signal for subs (he was on bench side.) He seemed to be an aspiring official but it was great having him. But it does bring me on to a question. Is there a minimum age for CARS. I have looked in the league handbook before and never found one, but didnt know if it was same rules as refs. Although Id much rather have that lad than Barry who was on the piss last night, never moves from the halfway line but suddenly in the last minute is convinced he's spotted an offside 40 yards away despite my instructions to not call it.
Finally, an amusing story from the U14s game. I checked the goals beforehand and noticed there was a small spot where the ball could pass through and of course that happened. It wasn't aided by the fact the shot was not stopped by the keeper who looked like he could've stopped it, so I thought it had gone wide. As did the parents behind me with similar angle, with no celebrations. I get ready for goal kick as keeper grabs ball, before keeper kicks it to his dejected defenders who start moving towards halfway line for kick off. With me knowing it was a possibility I made the quick adjustment and just went with the flow. The game was 8-1 at this point so hardly a game changing decision but still an awkward moment.
