Am I being held back unfairly?

[JamesL]

I'm a but confused about the whole 'Super Mentor' thing. I am a Mentor & an Observer myself, and as a Mentor I would never have so much influence? I am asked by RDO to go and Mentor new referees, and I'm there mainly to encourage & show the referee the ropes. Maybe a couple of bits of development, but as new referees, it's just about helping them through the first few games.

I wouldn't be involved in any promotion process, and any questions asked of me by a referee I would advise, but ultimately recommend they contact the RDO.

I think it varies by county and most certainly the name of such roles varies.

Here in Cornwall the RDO has a team of volunteer roles that report into him. For this the relevant people are the new referee co-ordinator whom oversees appointment of mentors to our new referees and is an additional point of contact for support help and guidance. And the progression co-ordinator who appoints matchday coaches and observers and provides a level of assurance for reports submitted to ensure consistency in advice.

I imagine the super mentor holds a similar type role but is being presented to us as though he is taken this role on with bit of a power trip (perhaps the word super in his title doesn't help).

 

[RefereeX]

It's a bird, it's a plane - it's super mentor!

 

[Gio]

@Gio I know the mentor visit etc seems like faff when you want to kick on and progress.

But I assure you, they are a god send. Having someone come out and give you advice, especially if they are credible is amazing.

I get some of my best feedback from old boys on the line that knows their stuff.

Other than that you're on your own until an observer is tearing you to pieces.

I couldn't agree more. I've relished each one.

That wasn't the point of the post. The point is I am concerned there is an individual who is having too much power in the route I take and also proving to be a negative influence in general.

 

[JamesL]

I couldn't agree more. I've relished each one.

That wasn't the point of the post. The point is I am concerned there is an individual who is having too much power in the route I take and also proving to be a negative influence in general.

The only way to really overcome that, as in all walks to life, is to raise your concerns to the person to whom they report into, likely your RDO.

They will be able to act as a mediator or offer advice on how to move forwards.

 

[Gio]

I am so sorry but now he has put this in an email.

"All I can do is when you start refereeing again I will organise another experienced mentor to visit a game to see if your skills have improved enough to become a Level 7 referee ."

I have refereed 30 odd games and he is claiming that I am still a trainee ref and can only qualify when he thinks .

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME I'M NOT GOING INSANE

 

[DavidObs]

I couldn't agree more. I've relished each one.

That wasn't the point of the post. The point is I am concerned there is an individual who is having too much power in the route I take and also proving to be a negative influence in general.

I am so sorry but now he has put this in an email.

"All I can do is when you start refereeing again I will organise another experienced mentor to visit a game to see if your skills have improved enough to become a Level 7 referee ."

I have refereed 30 odd games and he is claiming that I am still a trainee ref and can only qualify when he thinks .

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME I'M NOT GOING INSANE

It’s a challenging situation for you, though as James has mentioned, the best thing for you to do is to direct the issue to your RDO in the hope that he/she can mediate.

 

[Gio]

It’s a challenging situation for you, though as James has mentioned, the best thing for you to do is to direct the issue to your RDO in the hope that he/she can mediate.

Thanks for the reply. And I am trying and failing to get hold of RDO for some days.

No doubt this is all rather boring to read so I won't post again.

 

[DavidObs]

Thanks for the reply. And I am trying and failing to get hold of RDO for some days.

No doubt this is all rather boring to read so I won't post again.

Not boring, but this forum can only offer words of support/advice/guidance/direction, rather than undertake any action, which needs to be done by you once you are happy with your plan & looks like you are doing. It’s frustrating that you can’t get hold of your RDO & all you can do, is keep trying.

 

[Gio]

Not boring, but this forum can only offer words of advice etc, rather than undertake any action, which needs to be done by you once you are happy with your plan & looks like you are doing. It’s frustrating that you can’t get hold of your RDO & all you can do, is keep trying.

Absolutely, I understand.

 

[JamesL]

Thanks for the reply. And I am trying and failing to get hold of RDO for some days.

No doubt this is all rather boring to read so I won't post again.

We are here to help and support buddy. You're not going insane. You have met the criteria to be a level 7 referee.
Ultimately, you just need to escalate until your issue is solved.

 

[Gio]

We are here to help and support buddy. You're not going insane. You have met the criteria to be a level 7 referee.
Ultimately, you just need to escalate until your issue is solved.

Really appreciate that mate.

Unfortunately I have finally offloaded via email to the man in question. With RDO already tagged in email.

I've made sure I've not been insulting but have definitely got a lot off my chest.

He's gone down the route of "if you don't want to follow my team's advice" constantly referring to the team. Whereas actually Devon FA have been fantastic and he's the sole exception. I have all emails on record and believe he's tried to manipulate and control and regularly given inaccurate information. Especially claiming I can only qualify from a trainee on his say so.

I will be in touch with RDO tomorrow even if I have to drive down .

Thanks again

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

Really appreciate that mate.

Unfortunately I have finally offloaded via email to the man in question. With RDO already tagged in email.

I've made sure I've not been insulting but have definitely got a lot off my chest.

He's gone down the route of "if you don't want to follow my team's advice" constantly referring to the team. Whereas actually Devon FA have been fantastic and he's the sole exception. I have all emails on record and believe he's tried to manipulate and control and regularly given inaccurate information. Especially claiming I can only qualify from a trainee on his say so.

I will be in touch with RDO tomorrow even if I have to drive down .

Thanks again

The criteria, as I pointed out to you previously, are just to complete 5 qualifying games and advise your RDO the details for them to approve on behalf of The FA. Mentoring is not essential. Make sure you have recorded and submitted the details to the RDO.

 

[Gio]

The criteria, as I pointed out to you previously, are just to complete 5 qualifying games and advise your RDO the details for them to approve on behalf of The FA. Mentoring is not essential. Make sure you have recorded and submitted the details to the RDO.

I will.

Thanks

 

[JamesL]

Really appreciate that mate.

Unfortunately I have finally offloaded via email to the man in question. With RDO already tagged in email.

I've made sure I've not been insulting but have definitely got a lot off my chest.

He's gone down the route of "if you don't want to follow my team's advice" constantly referring to the team. Whereas actually Devon FA have been fantastic and he's the sole exception. I have all emails on record and believe he's tried to manipulate and control and regularly given inaccurate information. Especially claiming I can only qualify from a trainee on his say so.

I will be in touch with RDO tomorrow even if I have to drive down .

Thanks again

I'm sure you are aware, of you are Devon FA the chap you need to talk to here is Rich Mason.


I would approach it pragmatically along the lines of as I understand it qualifying criteria to be a level 7 is to have completed 5 games. I've done x games. What havent I don't that is preventing me from progressing to level 7 and therefore the progression pathway. What do I need to do to get there.

And work from there.

Last bit of advice is to pick up the phone. Emails etc get read differently and messages misinterpreted. Often simple problems can be resolved by a simple phone call.

Good Luck.

 

[DavidObs]

I'm sure you are aware, of you are Devon FA the chap you need to talk to here is Rich Mason.

View attachment 7752
I would approach it pragmatically along the lines of as I understand it qualifying criteria to be a level 7 is to have completed 5 games. I've done x games. What havent I don't that is preventing me from progressing to level 7 and therefore the progression pathway. What do I need to do to get there.

And work from there.

Last bit of advice is to pick up the phone. Emails etc get read differently and messages misinterpreted. Often simple problems can be resolved by a simple phone call.

Good Luck.

Excellent James.

 

[Gio]

Thanks Alot James.

Update :

I have had it confirmed that I am indeed already a level 7 and can apply for promotion as of today. So I feel vindicated atleast there.

Next thing is to check whether my previous application in the summer was incorrectly stopped by this super mentor.

I don't want any further dealings with the super mentor and I will make this clear and hope it doesn't hold me back

 

[The Gump]

Thanks Alot James.

Update :

I have had it confirmed that I am indeed already a level 7 and can apply for promotion as of today. So I feel vindicated atleast there.

Next thing is to check whether my previous application in the summer was incorrectly stopped by this super mentor.

I don't want any further dealings with the super mentor and I will make this clear and hope it doesn't hold me back

Well done Gio. Fingers crossed for the next step - they've changed the promotion criteria for 24/25, so I hope for your sake they accept your previous application and role it over. I just couldn't get my OA games in last year and thankfully I'm still on the 23/24 criteria otherwise I'd really struggle given my commitments to youth football and work (albeit I don't object to the additional criteria brought in this year).