Junior Refs

[The Phantom]

I know this topic has probably been bashed, but the performance I witnessed yesterday was unacceptable. The refereeing in the junior divisions is getting worse, this may be a lack of understanding of the game by the refs.

What should be done?

My suggestion is that the refs should maybe go back and have an intense refresher course, which should include knowing how to interact and talk in a professional manner with players on the field, officials and spectators watching. There should be no gutter mouth from the refs as they are the examples to the young players on the field.

[SILENT P]

Phantom, just as bad in the senior leagues.

[BillShankly]

Perhaps the FFSA should use Volleyball SA's example of having players reffing and doing the lines, this way the players would get a better understanding of the situation a referee is continually placed under and would stop them being bagged so much which quite honestly is ridiculous.

Players have to understand that referees are learning their position as well, it may take them a few games to become a great ref, or maybe a couple of seasons, just like a player on the pitch.

[pulse]

Some of the games I have played in this season havent been supplied with a professional ref. This is a disgrace at an u17 level. Referees should recruit more but people are afraid of becoming referees because of all the abuse they get. Referees should have a mid-year review on how they think the season has gone so far and discuss the options on what can be done to help. I'm not complaining about all referees just a small selection of them, they try hard to succeed at their job and always cop abuse. Myself is a prime example I tend to lose it abit on a stupid foul that was their to be given and just snap (becasue of previously committed fouls going against my team). I'm sorry for that referees but it's frustrating if you can't do your job properly. This intense refresher course should be a good idea.

[mattieg1200]

do players make mistakes.... do players miss easy shots on goal.. referees make mistakes as well and players just have to learn to get over it..

[The Phantom]

This topic isn't about refs making mistakes, its about acting in an appropriate manner and giving fair calls to both sides.

[rooboy1986]

This topic isn't about refs making mistakes, its about acting in an appropriate manner and giving fair calls to both sides.

Yes, and don't forget it... how do you feel an "appropriate" way to react to what YOU believe (since you're not bias AT ALL) is a wrong decision?

I can tell you, you should keep the gob shut and let the game continue, not shout and whinge and moan and if you feel the standard of the refereeing was that low (and you're NOT JUST LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE) then write letter to the appropriate federation.

[BeNatural]

my sons coach told me that the junior comp person has been reffing and doing a good job

[The Phantom]

This topic isn't about refs making mistakes, its about acting in an appropriate manner and giving fair calls to both sides.

Yes, and don't forget it... how do you feel an "appropriate" way to react to what YOU believe (since you're not bias AT ALL) is a wrong decision?

I can tell you, you should keep the gob shut and let the game continue, not shout and whinge and moan and if you feel the standard of the refereeing was that low (and you're NOT JUST LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE) then write letter to the appropriate federation.

The standard of refereeing was beyond low, do you believe it is appropriate to use bad language as a ref?

I've got an excuse, I heard some foul language come out of the mouth of a referee, this referee was meant to be refereeing an U12 games, this in my eyes is wrong and not good for the game.

So don't tell me to shut my gob, because this is an issue which has happened before and I don't believe the junior game needs it.

[Barney Rubble]

Bad language is obviously not acceptable at any level, how about the match cards incorporating a score for the ref ?

It is not meant as a put down but if one team thinks the ref was ok and the other a disgrace, a review of these points will see, hopefully, coaches who sledge ref's constantly get recognised and then THEY themselves get recognised.

Just a thought

[Partenopeo]

I think the phantom is referring to one referee in particular. The one that refereed the campbelltown v adel hills u/16s game on sunday. you can't tell me that telling a parent to piss off is appropriate behaviour now can you? This particular referee was openly shouting at players on the pitch for reasons which only required a request, not a full blown assault.

[rooboy1986]

This topic isn't about refs making mistakes, its about acting in an appropriate manner and giving fair calls to both sides.

Yes, and don't forget it... how do you feel an "appropriate" way to react to what YOU believe (since you're not bias AT ALL) is a wrong decision?

I can tell you, you should keep the gob shut and let the game continue, not shout and whinge and moan and if you feel the standard of the refereeing was that low (and you're NOT JUST LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE) then write letter to the appropriate federation.

The standard of refereeing was beyond low, do you believe it is appropriate to use bad language as a ref?

I've got an excuse, I heard some foul language come out of the mouth of a referee, this referee was meant to be refereeing an U12 games, this in my eyes is wrong and not good for the game.

So don't tell me to shut my gob, because this is an issue which has happened before and I don't believe the junior game needs it.

Okay, i concede, that is not acceptable, but wouldn't you think it more appropriate that the club send in a report about this particular referee?

Probably a better idea than us posting on a forum tainting all junior refs as well below par??

[The Phantom]

This topic isn't about refs making mistakes, its about acting in an appropriate manner and giving fair calls to both sides.

Yes, and don't forget it... how do you feel an "appropriate" way to react to what YOU believe (since you're not bias AT ALL) is a wrong decision?

I can tell you, you should keep the gob shut and let the game continue, not shout and whinge and moan and if you feel the standard of the refereeing was that low (and you're NOT JUST LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE) then write letter to the appropriate federation.

The standard of refereeing was beyond low, do you believe it is appropriate to use bad language as a ref?

I've got an excuse, I heard some foul language come out of the mouth of a referee, this referee was meant to be refereeing an U12 games, this in my eyes is wrong and not good for the game.

So don't tell me to shut my gob, because this is an issue which has happened before and I don't believe the junior game needs it.

Okay, i concede, that is not acceptable, but wouldn't you think it more appropriate that the club send in a report about this particular referee?

Probably a better idea than us posting on a forum tainting all junior refs as well below par??

Yeah that's probably a fair call, but its not the first time inappropriate language has been used by a ref.

[fossil]

on many occasions this year I have seen an absolute disregard for refs and decisions made. these come from coaches and assistants to start with then players get involved and finally the parents on the outside.

"For the refs" report and fine the coaches if they can't stay in the technical areas, if they speak unrulely and insult etc fine them and the clubs heavily and remove their right to coach.

"for the clubs" file a report form to show how each ref has performed even the ones supplied by the clubs and if the same poor results come from the same sources over and over this club or ref gets ordered to re-train or even suspend or remove them from the system if the complaint is serious enough.

"for the kids", simple really teach your kids to understand and keep their mouth shut but who is teaching the coaches? now before you all jump i coach and do run the lines and don't always like the decisions both before and after a game regardless of which ever hat you have on at the time.

How many times have you seen during a game the kids mimick who they admire, now ask what they do if the coach, parents & spectators all bag the decisons but these are the people they admire, so what chance does a ref have if you have 11 players complain!

"Create a code of conduct" have the parents & kids sign it with penalties higher than that of the controlling body's and follow it through! guess what they all shut up!
after all who ever gets the yellow card during a game from the ref looses 3 games from the club, but then again if you think past the sheep station we are responsable to create future professional players but some coaches & clubs sadly miss this fact.

[rabbit]

Very well made point.

[Barney Rubble]

it is all well and good making a point but in the words of the elite SAS,
Who Dares Wins

Lets see some of you forumites put your pen where your mouth is, send the FFSA an HONEST report on the ref.

If they were good TELL THEM

If they were below expectations TELL THEM

THe FFSA i mean, not the Ref.

Der Der Der Der "Thats all Folks"

[fossil]

"couldn't agree more barney"

have it manditory on the game signing sheet have it filled out straight away at end of each game!

each and every club see's the good the bad and the ugly, "even if it's the ref" no where to hide, plus they all even get to keep a copy, of course the first few months may make an interesting read but i think it would quickly become a best seller list for the good things.

[The Phantom]

I've heard several times that reports have been sent in and I've also heard that nothing results of it.

[rabbit]

it is all well and good making a point but in the words of the elite SAS,
Who Dares Wins

Lets see some of you forumites put your pen where your mouth is, send the FFSA an HONEST report on the ref.

If they were good TELL THEM

If they were below expectations TELL THEM

THe FFSA i mean, not the Ref.

Der Der Der Der "Thats all Folks"

Who Dares Wins....Der Der Der Der....Barney.... The Flinstones..."that's all folks"....Are you from cartoon connection or something? What's up doc? Just remember who the rabbit is around here!!

[Barney Rubble]

Well i often feel like a bit of a "bunny" at times

It does not do any harm either to praise a referee after a game either, or, heaven forbid, a club linesman. (one for each of them)

As an incentive maybe the FFSA should collate the responses from the clubs and have an award for the Ref with the most positive comments.

A coach could always discuss the referee's actions in a positive way with his team after a game and 'clarify' some of the decisions where possible, if possible.

Lets face it, if we keep losing referee's we may as well play Aussie rules where calling the umpire a "White Maggot" is part of tradition !

[mattieg1200]

i agree barney.. it dusnt hurt to praise a ref..

sumtimes i get praise and i like it.. it gives me confidence for the next game

[Dr.D]

Seriously what do you expect the FFSA or anyone else to do about it... The soccer community as a whole is already short some 30 + referees to run all competitions. Men's federation, amatuers, juniors and women's/girls.

If the referee starts to get heavy handed with referees not performing they're just going to quit... and then we'll have your dad's/mum's refereeing the game... Which you all complain about as well... Which you all say is unacceptable....

Juniors you along with women and girls are at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to refs....

The referees have the power, because they know that the competition can't function without them... Push them too hard and you'll lose them all together...

You all have to decide, is a ref that gets a few decisions wrong every so often, or throws around some bad language better or worse than having a parent who hasn't been trained in the laws of the game.... If you were playing away would you trust the home side to provide a "club ref" that was unbiased.... Coz this is where you're heading... Which would you rather...

That's the debate you should be having because the referees shortage isn't getting any better anytime soon

[Dr.D]

Seriously what do you expect the FFSA or anyone else to do about it... The soccer community as a whole is already short some 30 + referees to run all competitions. Men's federation, amatuers, juniors and women's/girls.

If the federation starts to get heavy handed with referees not performing they're just going to quit... and then we'll have your dad's/mum's refereeing the game... Which you all complain about as well... Which you all say is unacceptable....

Juniors you along with women and girls are at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to refs....

The referees have the power, because they know that the competition can't function without them... Push them too hard and you'll lose them all together...

You all have to decide, is a ref that gets a few decisions wrong every so often, or throws around some bad language better or worse than having a parent who hasn't been trained in the laws of the game.... If you were playing away would you trust the home side to provide a "club ref" that was unbiased.... Coz this is where you're heading... Which would you rather...

That's the debate you should be having because the referees shortage isn't getting any better anytime soon

[Squizzy]

Seriously what do you expect the FFSA or anyone else to do about it... The soccer community as a whole is already short some 30 + referees to run all competitions. Men's federation, amatuers, juniors and women's/girls.

If the federation starts to get heavy handed with referees not performing they're just going to quit... and then we'll have your dad's/mum's refereeing the game... Which you all complain about as well... Which you all say is unacceptable....

Juniors you along with women and girls are at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to refs....

The referees have the power, because they know that the competition can't function without them... Push them too hard and you'll lose them all together...

You all have to decide, is a ref that gets a few decisions wrong every so often, or throws around some bad language better or worse than having a parent who hasn't been trained in the laws of the game.... If you were playing away would you trust the home side to provide a "club ref" that was unbiased.... Coz this is where you're heading... Which would you rather...

That's the debate you should be having because the referees shortage isn't getting any better anytime soon

While I understand what you're trying to say, I believe it's waaaay over the top.

I believe what would make a lot of people happy is a review of the training and on-going development of our Refs. In particular, a) Decision Making (in accordance to the rules of the game) and, b) Human Relations. We get training at work - Ref's get paid - why not train them (or continue to do so)?

Each year, we ask our young lads and lasses (and the Men's League) to improve. And within each Club there is usually a development plan to ensure this. Why not have one for the Ref's? And if there is one, why not review it ,as the Clubs do with regards to Players?

While our sport is still riding a wave of increased popularity, I'm sure the relevant people in the FFSA could address this as a positive change, again, for the sport. Maybe they need a pathway (for want of a better word)?

While Juniors may be at the bottom of pecking order; you can't exactly say that the Senior games Ref's are consistently doing a great job either. Why not start at the top and let it filter down?

I totally agree with whoever said something about telling a Ref if they did a good job. It's easy to catch people out doing the wrong thing but people rarely give credit where it's due. I believe the "grading" at the end of each match would be a good idea too. And let's face it, you'll know if people are abusing it.

I'm sure this debate will go on for a while.

Sorry for the long post.

[fossil]

Seriously what do you expect the FFSA or anyone else to do about it... The soccer community as a whole is already short some 30 + referees to run all competitions. Men's federation, amatuers, juniors and women's/girls.

If the federation starts to get heavy handed with referees not performing they're just going to quit... and then we'll have your dad's/mum's refereeing the game... Which you all complain about as well... Which you all say is unacceptable....

Juniors you along with women and girls are at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to refs....

The referees have the power, because they know that the competition can't function without them... Push them too hard and you'll lose them all together...

You all have to decide, is a ref that gets a few decisions wrong every so often, or throws around some bad language better or worse than having a parent who hasn't been trained in the laws of the game.... If you were playing away would you trust the home side to provide a "club ref" that was unbiased.... Coz this is where you're heading... Which would you rather...

That's the debate you should be having because the referees shortage isn't getting any better anytime soon

While I understand what you're trying to say, I believe it's waaaay over the top.

I believe what would make a lot of people happy is a review of the training and on-going development of our Refs. In particular, a) Decision Making (in accordance to the rules of the game) and, b) Human Relations. We get training at work - Ref's get paid - why not train them (or continue to do so)?

Each year, we ask our young lads and lasses (and the Men's League) to improve. And within each Club there is usually a development plan to ensure this. Why not have one for the Ref's? And if there is one, why not review it ,as the Clubs do with regards to Players?

While our sport is still riding a wave of increased popularity, I'm sure the relevant people in the FFSA could address this as a positive change, again, for the sport. Maybe they need a pathway (for want of a better word)?

While Juniors may be at the bottom of pecking order; you can't exactly say that the Senior games Ref's are consistently doing a great job either. Why not start at the top and let it filter down?

I totally agree with whoever said something about telling a Ref if they did a good job. It's easy to catch people out doing the wrong thing but people rarely give credit where it's due. I believe the "grading" at the end of each match would be a good idea too. And let's face it, you'll know if people are abusing it.

I'm sure this debate will go on for a while.

Sorry for the long post.

Squizzy the grading & pathways ideas are good and could be quite easy start all new refs with the lower graded juniors, then as they progress at getting better reward them with the higher comps, maybe even give them a higher payment as they get to the top in both comp and performance, after all not all players get paid the same for each game.

As for telling the team of the mistakes how about the ref talking to the team giving the corrections and why at the end of the game.

[Barney Rubble]

Gr8 idea about the ref talking to the teams afterwards,

i can sell you a tele-transporter too which will allow the refs to re-appear at the next ground in a few nano-seconds

I jest for fun but agree that if the ref's had time then a few minutes for each team would be a good idea.

[rabbit]

Way, way past your bedtime Barney....beauty sleep and all that. I have total respect for all refs and think they are doing a splendid job. Respect them almost as much as I respect keepers

[mattieg1200]

Way, way past your bedtime Barney....beauty sleep and all that. I have total respect for all refs and think they are doing a splendid job. Respect them almost as much as I respect keepers

so you respect me twice ??? lol

[rabbit]

Way, way past your bedtime Barney....beauty sleep and all that. I have total respect for all refs and think they are doing a splendid job. Respect them almost as much as I respect keepers

so you respect me twice ??? lol

NNNNNOOOOOOO....I've seen you ref and keep.

[no1footballer]

these bloody referees ill tell u what
drivin me up the bloody wall they are
them refs really know how to push my buttons
i herd that the cambelltown u/16 keeper almost clocked the ref rite in the chops
bloody disgrace