Like the majority here, I've been asked to officiate at a few tournaments this summer. Recently I had the pleasure of attending a couple of tournaments (as a dad) with my son’s teams u8’s & u10’s.
Whilst the tournaments themselves were well organised, I found myself getting more and more uptight by the frustration of seeing ‘the centre circle ref’! The referees had indeed the county badge – so I was confident that they were up to the job. Sadly, to my astonishment 2 referees officiated with dark sunglasses (blues brother style!). It seemed that the mature referees moved more than the younger ones. Unfortunately, despite completing the online respect test, I could not hold it in any longer – “come on ref, keep up with play” I quipped. “I am keeping up with play!” was the response – job done I thought here we go – he will be on his toes now…
Meanwhile a legitimate goal was ruled out as it was seen to go out of play. Y the chap in the centre … it clearly hadn't from my closer view “thought you were keeping up with play" I muttered to myself.
Coaches came up to me as we made our way home (after doing quite well, no thanks to our esteemed colleagues) – and asked me “what do they teach them?” … my response was "the laws, but common sense – seems to be a dying art!"
I will also chuck this one in - a chap in a black shirt - refereed appallingly - so as my sons manager was complaining to an official as to why he didn't have the correct attire to the rest of the referees, he was told "they are all qualified sir"... my sub question to this thread - if your are qualified - why on earth would you not wear your badges? - you earnt them - and in my experience, they stop a hell of a lot of jobsworth spectators. (laws said with confidence, or even BS will suffice!)
So, in closing; I am disappointed with my outburst, but to get RESPECT, we must first earn REFSPECT – when I’m asked to officiate at a tournament – I do just that, keep up with play – no matter the age group – they’ve paid for a referee and that sir… is indeed what they get… at the end of the tournament – the coaches in your group – will at some point feed back to the tournament officials and declare – your tournament a great success, with a high standard of refereeing. The clubs have paid their money, you have more spectators than you’ve ever seen… give them the professional the tournament deserves.
PS... Jade shirt was lovely on a sunny day... no more roasting in black! ;-)
Whilst the tournaments themselves were well organised, I found myself getting more and more uptight by the frustration of seeing ‘the centre circle ref’! The referees had indeed the county badge – so I was confident that they were up to the job. Sadly, to my astonishment 2 referees officiated with dark sunglasses (blues brother style!). It seemed that the mature referees moved more than the younger ones. Unfortunately, despite completing the online respect test, I could not hold it in any longer – “come on ref, keep up with play” I quipped. “I am keeping up with play!” was the response – job done I thought here we go – he will be on his toes now…
Meanwhile a legitimate goal was ruled out as it was seen to go out of play. Y the chap in the centre … it clearly hadn't from my closer view “thought you were keeping up with play" I muttered to myself.
Coaches came up to me as we made our way home (after doing quite well, no thanks to our esteemed colleagues) – and asked me “what do they teach them?” … my response was "the laws, but common sense – seems to be a dying art!"
I will also chuck this one in - a chap in a black shirt - refereed appallingly - so as my sons manager was complaining to an official as to why he didn't have the correct attire to the rest of the referees, he was told "they are all qualified sir"... my sub question to this thread - if your are qualified - why on earth would you not wear your badges? - you earnt them - and in my experience, they stop a hell of a lot of jobsworth spectators. (laws said with confidence, or even BS will suffice!)
So, in closing; I am disappointed with my outburst, but to get RESPECT, we must first earn REFSPECT – when I’m asked to officiate at a tournament – I do just that, keep up with play – no matter the age group – they’ve paid for a referee and that sir… is indeed what they get… at the end of the tournament – the coaches in your group – will at some point feed back to the tournament officials and declare – your tournament a great success, with a high standard of refereeing. The clubs have paid their money, you have more spectators than you’ve ever seen… give them the professional the tournament deserves.
PS... Jade shirt was lovely on a sunny day... no more roasting in black! ;-)
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