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Ori

Well-Known Member
So I’ve taken advice and joined the SAL and move away from youth football.

I notice on league guidelines that the teams usually offer hospitality after the match. Is this normal and what is that like?
This year I am also finally going to do my promotion.

First match tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it. Shame it looks like rain!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
The Ref Stop
'Hospitality' offered by clubs varies from club to club, even within the same leagues which will have guidelines. It tends to get better and better as you go up through the leagues until step 1 and above where it almost ends (I'm informed)

Some clubs will give you a few sarnies and that's it. I've had a 2 course sit down meal with Cheese and biscuits and wine on the table and a drink of choice plus the offer of further drinks from a step 3 club recently.
 
RefereeX said:
'Hospitality' offered by clubs varies from club to club, even within the same leagues which will have guidelines. It tends to get better and better as you go up through the leagues until step 1 and above where it almost ends (I'm informed)

Some clubs will give you a few sarnies and that's it. I've had a 2 course sit down meal with Cheese and biscuits and wine on the table and a drink of choice plus the offer of further drinks from a step 3 club recently.
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What if you make a controversial decision? Might be uncomfortable! ;)

I’m looking forward to it.
 
yeah some clubs go to town, hot drinks throughout, chocolates/energy bars/drinks etc in the changing rooms, full cooked dinner after (best was always albion sports whos owner ran a nearby curry house and brough vats along post match)

others can barely be bothered to provide some shop bought sandwiches or cakes

worst one ever was a club who provided a full on hog roast (not something i eat but i digress...), other officials fill their boots when the secretary comes over and literally take their plates from them saying that's players only and brought out a tray of uninspiring sandwiches. it did not go down well.

there's always the risk of going in if the game hasn't gone quite well. in my experience this is never an issue at step 7 and below where i've often chatted with players i've sent off. higher up and definitely a judgement call esp if you're likely to be near any fans
 
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But then at step 4 and above there is an expectation that you should be looked after away from supporters. There is, sometimes, friction with those involved at the club, but most clubs are good at separating on field events from off field. I had a perfectly fine post match experience the other week with a club who then gave me a below average club mark going to town in the comments about a missed sending off (for an event that factually didn't happen but that's by the by).

But I have also experienced having pizzas thrown at us in the changing rooms and being told 'you're only getting this because we have to'. 😆
 
ChasObserverRefDeveloper said:
SAL used to be one of the best for post-match hospitality; play it by ear.
Re the match itself, get the balance between empathy and control right, and all will be well.
Most importantly - enjoy the game!
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I look forward to it then!

I’m also not used to having ref changing rooms. Got my bag prepped and ready. ;)
 
SAL and AFC are well known for their hospitality rules, clubs must provide food and drink to the opponents and match officials after the game, that's common at senior levels but very rare at grass roots. I started refereeing on the AFC and in my experience referees are generally welcomed regardless of what happened during the game. In recent years I've observed and done match day coaching on SAL and AFC games and I'm generally treated very well, they have almost always invited me for food after as well.

If I'm asked to recommend leagues to recommend for fairly new and inexperienced referees I always say these two. They aren't perfect by any means, no league is, but they are very good quality, especially in the senior leagues, and generally very well behaved.
 
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I think SAL and AFL have merged although still run separately?

How long is an acceptable amount of time to stay after the match?
 
So just as an update. I had my first game and it went well.
Nice facilities and a nice burger at the end. ;)

was a div 8 match and no AR Which I found very strange.

Div 4 next week. I hope they do have AR.
 
Ori said:
So just as an update. I had my first game and it went well.
Nice facilities and a nice burger at the end. ;)

was a div 8 match and no AR Which I found very strange.

Div 4 next week. I hope they do have AR.
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You are right, they have merged, I'd missed that.

Pretty sure they only have ARs in the top division, and they don't allow CARs to be used. With the best park of 100 games every Saturday they'd need a huge amount of officials to have 3 on every game. I observed on an SAL game last season where the referee insisted on both clubs providing ARs, it caused him huge problems as they aren't used to it and it led to numerous arguments.
 
RustyRef said:
You are right, they have merged, I'd missed that.

Pretty sure they only have ARs in the top division, and they don't allow CARs to be used. With the best park of 100 games every Saturday they'd need a huge amount of officials to have 3 on every game. I observed on an SAL game last season where the referee insisted on both clubs providing ARs, it caused him huge problems as they aren't used to it and it led to numerous arguments.
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They didn't even have someone to do ball out of play?

I understand there are regional differences in the role of a CAR and their duties but didn't realise they are completely absent in some areas. Is there something in SCOR about ARs?
 
JamesL said:
They didn't even have someone to do ball out of play?

I understand there are regional differences in the role of a CAR and their duties but didn't realise they are completely absent in some areas. Is there something in SCOR about ARs?
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SAL and AFC have never allowed CARs in any form, it is 100% down to the referee.

13(C) In SCoR about clubs needing to provide assistant referees is in italics which means it is optional.
 
I found it difficult to not have any AR at all. Judging offsides is very hit and miss when it’s only you in the middle. Guess I just need to get promoted a few times to move up the leagues.
 
any advice on how to handle offsides with no CAR? It’s also near on impossible to know if the ball has gone out of play on a close call.
 
Ori said:
any advice on how to handle offsides with no CAR? It’s also near on impossible to know if the ball has gone out of play on a close call.
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I say to the captains that I won't be apologising for missing any offsides, as I'll often be looking the other way when the ball is played and by the time I turn around the picture might have changed from what it was when the ball was kicked.

Positioning can help, the wider you are the better you will be able to see across the full offside line, whereas if you are in the middle of the pitch you can't possibly see the position of players in both the left and right back positions.
 
Amateur FA do not allow CARs at all as far as I am aware - to the extent that if the clubs offer you should turn them down. It’s not ideal - as I have found when being observed for 7-6, 6-5 in the past - but in many ways it works better as there are few arguments over offside.

There are NARs in higher divisions
 
Refollie said:
Amateur FA do not allow CARs at all as far as I am aware - to the extent that if the clubs offer you should turn them down. It’s not ideal - as I have found when being observed for 7-6, 6-5 in the past - but in many ways it works better as there are few arguments over offside.

There are NARs in higher divisions
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So when do leagues have AR? I mean div 1 has AR.

I’m hoping to do promotions through the next few years and hopefully reach level 4 eventually.
 
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