County Refereeing Development Groups

[Gabriel]

Hi all,

I had an email from my RDO today inviting me to an assessment evening to potentially join the Refereeing Development Group. Anyone have any idea what exactly this is/might be? I was also told the evening would contain match-based practical and embedded laws of the game assessments. With regards to the match-based stuff, is that likely to be foul recognition, advantage etc etc. Or is it more likely to be a fitness test (which hasn't been mentioned anywhere yet!).

TIA

 

[JamesL]

Hi all,

I had an email from my RDO today inviting me to an assessment evening to potentially join the Refereeing Development Group. Anyone have any idea what exactly this is/might be? I was also told the evening would contain match-based practical and embedded laws of the game assessments. With regards to the match-based stuff, is that likely to be foul recognition, advantage etc etc. Or is it more likely to be a fitness test (which hasn't been mentioned anywhere yet!).

TIA

You're not far off. In our county the entry requirements are very close to that of the entry level for national core.
Fitness tested. LOTG and Clip analysis.

Different counties may vary but will be close to what you have suggested

 

[Gabriel]

Thanks James. I must admit having 15 days' notice isn't ideal, especially if a fitness test may be involved when I was out injured for a total of 4 months across 24-25. Nevertheless, I'll give it all I've got. I must admit I was surprised to receive an invite considering I have a grand total of 1 open age middle to my name so far

 

[JamesL]

Thanks James. I must admit having 15 days' notice isn't ideal, especially if a fitness test may be involved when I was out injured for a total of 4 months across 24-25. Nevertheless, I'll give it all I've got. I must admit I was surprised to receive an invite considering I have a grand total of 1 open age middle to my name so far

The timing is deliberate. The programmes are aimed at referees who are already showing promise, dedication and commitment including too fitness. (You can show promise in youth football).
Lots of referees (not aimed at you) do not maintain fitness levels and train up for these things. I'm convinced you get minimal notice to weed out those that dont keep fit. Unless completely wrecked there are ways to maintain fitness even through injury, offload training like cycling or swimming but this is totally injury and severity dependent of course.
No harm in talking to the rdo before and explaining your situation and concerns and he might be able to put you at ease or at least not just write you off of you're not successful this time

 

[Gabriel]

I must admit, when I first started refereeing I was one of those people that thought reffing to get fit was a good idea. Post injury number 1 in October, my attitude shifted to get fit to referee. I'm maintaining that level now, and slowly getting more and more intense (particularly post major injury in March), so I'd like to think I should be ok (or at least not horrendous!). I did try and keep it up whilst injured, but as the worst (and longest) injury was a fractured ankle on one leg and a torn calf on the other, doing anything at all was quite difficult. I will speak to my RDO though and see what he says.

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

I must admit, when I first started refereeing I was one of those people that thought reffing to get fit was a good idea. Post injury number 1 in October, my attitude shifted to get fit to referee. I'm maintaining that level now, and slowly getting more and more intense (particularly post major injury in March), so I'd like to think I should be ok (or at least not horrendous!). I did try and keep it up whilst injured, but as the worst (and longest) injury was a fractured ankle on one leg and a torn calf on the other, doing anything at all was quite difficult. I will speak to my RDO though and see what he says.

They won't require you to do anything physical which could delay your return to full fitness.
Make the most of his opportunity.

 

[MarcusSFARef]

Hi all,

I had an email from my RDO today inviting me to an assessment evening to potentially join the Refereeing Development Group. Anyone have any idea what exactly this is/might be? I was also told the evening would contain match-based practical and embedded laws of the game assessments. With regards to the match-based stuff, is that likely to be foul recognition, advantage etc etc. Or is it more likely to be a fitness test (which hasn't been mentioned anywhere yet!).

TIA

Hi Gabriel,

Is this basically your CFA’s version of County CORE?

I had an assessment evening for Surrey FA CORE on 28th May, so I can give you an idea of what ours involved – yours will probably be quite similar.

For us, the evening included:
Fitness Test

• 40 runs of 75m in 17 seconds, with 25m recovery walks in 22 seconds (total 4000m).
• This is the standard test expected of Level 4 and 5 officials.
• Straight-line running on astro (we were advised to wear football boots).
• There were also 40m sprints, manually timed, done as fast as possible.

Laws of the Game Assessment

• 20 multiple choice questions (individual, timed for 30 minutes).
• Questions were similar to those in FA LoTG exams this season.

Clip Analysis

• We watched match clips one by one and answered questions individually (focusing on foul recognition, advantage, etc.).

So from what you’ve described, I’d expect your “match-based practical” to be things like foul recognition, advantage, positioning/fitness in clips – rather than a fitness test unless it’s explicitly mentioned.

Hopefully that helps give you an idea of what to expect. Best of luck with it!

 

[JamesL]

Hi Gabriel,

Is this basically your CFA’s version of County CORE?

I had an assessment evening for Surrey FA CORE on 28th May, so I can give you an idea of what ours involved – yours will probably be quite similar.

For us, the evening included:
Fitness Test

• 40 runs of 75m in 17 seconds, with 25m recovery walks in 22 seconds (total 4000m).
• This is the standard test expected of Level 4 and 5 officials.
• Straight-line running on astro (we were advised to wear football boots).
• There were also 40m sprints, manually timed, done as fast as possible.

Laws of the Game Assessment

• 20 multiple choice questions (individual, timed for 30 minutes).
• Questions were similar to those in FA LoTG exams this season.

Clip Analysis

• We watched match clips one by one and answered questions individually (focusing on foul recognition, advantage, etc.).

So from what you’ve described, I’d expect your “match-based practical” to be things like foul recognition, advantage, positioning/fitness in clips – rather than a fitness test unless it’s explicitly mentioned.

Hopefully that helps give you an idea of what to expect. Best of luck with it!

If I had to guess what match based practical was it would be a fitness drill ending at a screen with a clip shown and you have to make a decision off one viewing
Fairly standard FA Core exercise, and assessment days for promotion, do your fitness test, then do some more but with some mental thoughts on the end of it.

 

[DavidObs]

The timing is deliberate. The programmes are aimed at referees who are already showing promise, dedication and commitment including too fitness. (You can show promise in youth football).
Lots of referees (not aimed at you) do not maintain fitness levels and train up for these things. I'm convinced you get minimal notice to weed out those that dont keep fit. Unless completely wrecked there are ways to maintain fitness even through injury, offload training like cycling or swimming but this is totally injury and severity dependent of course.
No harm in talking to the rdo before and explaining your situation and concerns and he might be able to put you at ease or at least not just write you off of you're not successful this time

Definitely James with your opening paragraph. From the announcements yesterday in respect of PGMOL appointments, I am aware that the initial fitness test for those selected was very early June, whereby because some were unable to take for one reason or another, they only took a few days ago, whereby at least 2 failed & the one who was the oldest (by quite a distance - no pun intended!) & in continuous training, passed & was promoted. There is no re-test for those who failed. The moral of the story is, unless you are injured, to always be fit (if you know what I mean) .

 

[RefereeX]

Definitely James with your opening paragraph. From the announcements yesterday in respect of PGMOL appointments, I am aware that the initial fitness test for those selected was very early June, whereby because some were unable to take for one reason or another, they only took a few days ago, whereby at least 2 failed & the one who was the oldest (by quite a distance - no pun intended!) & is in continuous training, passed & was promoted. There is no re-test for those who failed. The moral of the story is, unless you are injured, to always be fit (if you know what I mean) .

I hold a personal belief that anybody at level 4 or above, barring injury issues, should be able to pass a fitness test with minimal notice at any point during the season. As you say, too many referees in my opinion see the fitness test as a once a year thing that they have to train specifically for, then can relax for the next year.

 

[DavidObs]

I hold a personal belief that anybody at level 4 or above, barring injury issues, should be able to pass a fitness test with minimal notice at any point during the season. As you say, too many referees in my opinion see the fitness test as a once a year thing that they have to train specifically for, then can relax for the next year.

Your personal belief is shared by many.

 

[Samuel]

I hold a personal belief that anybody at level 4 or above, barring injury issues, should be able to pass a fitness test with minimal notice at any point during the season. As you say, too many referees in my opinion see the fitness test as a once a year thing that they have to train specifically for, then can relax for the next year.

I think a good example of this would be if they got invited to a mid season assessment day, my understanding is that you do not get a whole lot of notice for this so would be a shame if anyone missed out because they couldn't be bothered to stay fit enough for the entire season

 

[Runner Ref]

I hold a personal belief that anybody at level 4 or above, barring injury issues, should be able to pass a fitness test with minimal notice at any point during the season. As you say, too many referees in my opinion see the fitness test as a once a year thing that they have to train specifically for, then can relax for the next year.

Completely agree. Problem is, the fitness tests start just a few weeks after end of season. I know loads of referees at all levels who would do first set of fitness tests, so that they could in essence have the summer off

 

[Refollie]

I say this as someone who has never been called up for a Core group or anything of the like, but should it be that hard for a referee of general good fitness to pass a fitness test? Promise I'm not trolling! Obvious exception to those who are injured. Also Gabriel it's great that you're getting noticed so quickly during your refereeing career.

 

[Samuel]

Ok understand I will be the minority, but I did the CORE retrial which I think was the 2B test for level 4s? while injured and probably heavier than I’ve been in a long time.

Any referee that takes it seriously should be able to pass any test they need to do.

 

[ChasObserverRefDeveloper]

Your personal belief is shared by many.

With the possible exception of the guy a couple of seasons ago who complained that the second week in May (cool evening, on a track) was a ridiculous time of year for a fitness test. I asked the obvious question - he had refereed 4 days earlier

 

[Gabriel]

I say this as someone who has never been called up for a Core group or anything of the like, but should it be that hard for a referee of general good fitness to pass a fitness test? Promise I'm not trolling! Obvious exception to those who are injured. Also Gabriel it's great that you're getting noticed so quickly during your refereeing career.

Definitely shouldn’t be too hard if you’re of good general fitness and not injured. Just slowly working myself back up to full fitness that’s all. Turns out I can’t make it anyway because I’m flying out to Tunisia an hour after it’s supposed to finish, which is unfortunate timing. Have spoken to my RDO though and I’m hoping to keep the progress up for this season and try and get my 7-6 finished and then maybe give it a shot next year.

 

[DavidObs]

Definitely shouldn’t be too hard if you’re of good general fitness and not injured. Just slowly working myself back up to full fitness that’s all. Turns out I can’t make it anyway because I’m flying out to Tunisia an hour after it’s supposed to finish, which is unfortunate timing. Have spoken to my RDO though and I’m hoping to keep the progress up for this season and try and get my 7-6 finished and then maybe give it a shot next year.

Possibly perhaps there could be a mid-season opportunity.

 

[Archer]

Firstly, well done for being approached... a sign you've caught the attention for good reasons.

Think of it as a county-level CORE and what is really them finding a group of officials that they think have at least two promotions in them (which requires resources from them, so respect that in return), so here's a test of those variables wholly in your control as to whether you'd be suitable to operate in the NLS. Availability, commitment, fitness, knowledge of law.

All four of those are in your control. If you can't do every other Saturday cos of a job, someone else will. If you don't reply to emails within a day because you're commuting and need to walk the dog after work and have a kid, someone else will. If there's an emergency and you haven't closed the date but you're going to Lidl so can't cover that game tonight, someone else will. If you've over/under-trained or mis-managed an injury so aren't fit enough, someone else is. If you don't know what restart is correct after a 1/1000 incident, someone else will.

Likely be assigned into smaller groups with a coach who can help you meet the expectations of these things at higher levels, while developing your on-field competency. If you trip up, there's a nudge in the back to do better. If you make excuses, there's wobble of your head that you don't need to be good enough, you need to be better. A coach, a tight-knit group, access to your RDO and mentors, and it will open an extra door that someone else may not have.

It's an investment from the county into you and your development... so be fit, be available, be flexible, have your admin in order, and know Law... and this is their opportunity to mould you into meeting those criteria - again I stress these are your problem - and you can slip-up without season-defining consequences. It'll have a bar to entry because you need to earn it. The RDG isn't a continual test, but if you do what's expected of you and engage then it'll develop you towards understanding the expectations even higher-up that - to use a metaphor - you need to be this tall to join this ride... and if you're not, others will be.

TLDR: Is saying no better than saying yes.

 

[JamesL]

Firstly, well done for being approached... a sign you've caught the attention for good reasons.

Think of it as a county-level CORE and what is really them finding a group of officials that they think have at least two promotions in them (which requires resources from them, so respect that in return), so here's a test of those variables wholly in your control as to whether you'd be suitable to operate in the NLS. Availability, commitment, fitness, knowledge of law.

All four of those are in your control. If you can't do every other Saturday cos of a job, someone else will. If you don't reply to emails within a day because you're commuting and need to walk the dog after work and have a kid, someone else will. If there's an emergency and you haven't closed the date but you're going to Lidl so can't cover that game tonight, someone else will. If you've over/under-trained or mis-managed an injury so aren't fit enough, someone else is. If you don't know what restart is correct after a 1/1000 incident, someone else will.

Likely be assigned into smaller groups with a coach who can help you meet the expectations of these things at higher levels, while developing your on-field competency. If you trip up, there's a nudge in the back to do better. If you make excuses, there's wobble of your head that you don't need to be good enough, you need to be better. A coach, a tight-knit group, access to your RDO and mentors, and it will open an extra door that someone else may not have.

It's an investment from the county into you and your development... so be fit, be available, be flexible, have your admin in order, and know Law... and this is their opportunity to mould you into meeting those criteria - again I stress these are your problem - and you can slip-up without season-defining consequences. It'll have a bar to entry because you need to earn it. The RDG isn't a continual test, but if you do what's expected of you and engage then it'll develop you towards understanding the expectations even higher-up that - to use a metaphor - you need to be this tall to join this ride... and if you're not, others will be.

TLDR: Is saying no better than saying yes.

Can we have @firsfox40 back pls. They would never have written a post as sensible as this...