Assistant Ref

[MK93]

Hi guys,

I’ve refereed a few games now and I’ve also been an assistant for a couple, and tbh I think I enjoy being an assistant more.

Out of interest... Is there a way to progress through the ranks solely as an assistant, or do you have to progress only as a Ref?

 

[one]

Your RDO can help you the best. There definitely is a pathway. Even if you have aspirations as a AR only, doing games in the middle help you as an AR (as does the other way around).

 

[RustyRef]

There isn't an assistant pathway in England until you get to level 3, and that holds back a lot of very good assistants as you need to be a very good referee to get to that level.

 

[JH]

There isn't an assistant pathway in England until you get to level 3, and that holds back a lot of very good assistants as you need to be a very good referee to get to that level.

Would you not say that specialist assistant referees need to be at least level 3 referees to ensure their all-round quality as a match official? I appreciate there may be some amazing assistants that just can't cut it in the middle at level 3 and 4 but surely this just brings the best match officials to the top.

 

[MK93]

There isn't an assistant pathway in England until you get to level 3, and that holds back a lot of very good assistants as you need to be a very good referee to get to that level.

That’s a real shame. I understand that as a top level assistant you need to be a good referee aswell, but to have to get to level 3 seems abit much. I highly doubt I’ll get to those dizzy heights as a referee!

 

[MK93]

Would you not say that specialist assistant referees need to be at least level 3 referees to ensure their all-round quality as a match official? I appreciate there may be some amazing assistants that just can't cut it in the middle at level 3 and 4 but surely this just brings the best match officials to the top.

I see your point as you’d want officials who can cover all angles, but do you not think it would also work well to have specialists in their fields. How often at the top level do you see an assistant need to referee? As it’s a different role there should be an easier pathway in my opinion.

 

[JamesL]

That’s a real shame. I understand that as a top level assistant you need to be a good referee aswell, but to have to get to level 3 seems abit much. I highly doubt I’ll get to those dizzy heights as a referee!

What makes you say that? Iirc you're a young referee just starting out. Plenty of time to develop... once you hit the promotion path you'll be surprised at the improvements you'll make in your game with the advice from observations. At bare minimum level 4 is achievable... and if you believe the rumours the specialist AR route may be opening to L4s.

 

[es1]

What makes you say that? Iirc you're a young referee just starting out. Plenty of time to develop... once you hit the promotion path you'll be surprised at the improvements you'll make in your game with the advice from observations. At bare minimum level 4 is achievable... and if you believe the rumours the specialist AR route may be opening to L4s.

absolutely this! if you're a decent ref and your fitness is good enough to pass the test then level 4 should be easily achievable.

 

[Brian Hamilton]

What makes you say that? Iirc you're a young referee just starting out. Plenty of time to develop... once you hit the promotion path you'll be surprised at the improvements you'll make in your game with the advice from observations. At bare minimum level 4 is achievable... and if you believe the rumours the specialist AR route may be opening to L4s.

It's not just the development that puts many people off progressing, it's the level of commitment required. I think those who thought up zero hours contracts actually based their design on referee availability.

 

[MK93]

What makes you say that? Iirc you're a young referee just starting out. Plenty of time to develop... once you hit the promotion path you'll be surprised at the improvements you'll make in your game with the advice from observations. At bare minimum level 4 is achievable... and if you believe the rumours the specialist AR route may be opening to L4s.

Yeah I’m mid twenties so I have plenty of years ahead of me. I plan to just keep at it and see how I get on, haven’t even transitioned to open age games yet so hard to imagine myself reffing at level 3/4 stage at the moment!

 

[JoeMaloney5]

D

That’s a real shame. I understand that as a top level assistant you need to be a good referee aswell, but to have to get to level 3 seems abit much. I highly doubt I’ll get to those dizzy heights as a referee!

Don't doubt yourself you never know

 

[RustyRef]

Would you not say that specialist assistant referees need to be at least level 3 referees to ensure their all-round quality as a match official? I appreciate there may be some amazing assistants that just can't cut it in the middle at level 3 and 4 but surely this just brings the best match officials to the top.

The problem is level 3 is so hard to get to, you've realistically got to finish in the top 5% of all L4s across the country. Some excellent ARs will never manage that so they are stuck at that level. Whereas L4 is easy to get to in comparison.

 

[JH]

The problem is level 3 is so hard to get to, you've realistically got to finish in the top 5% of all referees across the country. Some excellent ARs will never manage that so they are stuck at that level. Whereas L4 is easy to get to in comparison.

Fair point. As long as there is no shortage of specialist assistant referees I'm not sure it is a major problem. I'm sure my view would change if I was stuck at 3/4 for years on end.