This is a two-part question, and I’ll do my best not to upset any fellow members or appointment secretaries.
While I know these questions are best directed at the secretaries, getting a response from them has been challenging, to say the least.
1. What happens if you’re registered with multiple leagues? Is there a risk of being appointed to two games simultaneously and then needing to resolve the conflict yourself?
For context, I’m registered with both a Sunday men’s league and a Sunday youth league, and I’ve made myself available for both. I’m concerned that I might receive appointments for both leagues on the same day and then have to sort it out retrospectively.
2. This is where I’ll try not to ruffle any feathers. I find managing availability quite challenging, and I’m sure secretaries do as well. For example, being asked to confirm my availability from now until the end of the year is difficult. I recently realised that I’m unavailable for two weekends due to other commitments, but I had already informed the secretary that I was available when asked earlier. Now, I’ll likely have to turn down an appointment that I had initially accepted. Surely there’s a better system in place to manage availability?
Just to add to the second point, I fully appreciate that being a referee secretary is a thankless and challenging task. However, I’m not in a situation where I can commit to refereeing every weekend. I still want to contribute to the sport when I can and enjoy refereeing, but I also have a life outside of football. It almost feels easier to offer my services directly to a club and referee as needed rather than risk inconveniencing a secretary.
While I know these questions are best directed at the secretaries, getting a response from them has been challenging, to say the least.
1. What happens if you’re registered with multiple leagues? Is there a risk of being appointed to two games simultaneously and then needing to resolve the conflict yourself?
For context, I’m registered with both a Sunday men’s league and a Sunday youth league, and I’ve made myself available for both. I’m concerned that I might receive appointments for both leagues on the same day and then have to sort it out retrospectively.
2. This is where I’ll try not to ruffle any feathers. I find managing availability quite challenging, and I’m sure secretaries do as well. For example, being asked to confirm my availability from now until the end of the year is difficult. I recently realised that I’m unavailable for two weekends due to other commitments, but I had already informed the secretary that I was available when asked earlier. Now, I’ll likely have to turn down an appointment that I had initially accepted. Surely there’s a better system in place to manage availability?
Just to add to the second point, I fully appreciate that being a referee secretary is a thankless and challenging task. However, I’m not in a situation where I can commit to refereeing every weekend. I still want to contribute to the sport when I can and enjoy refereeing, but I also have a life outside of football. It almost feels easier to offer my services directly to a club and referee as needed rather than risk inconveniencing a secretary.