Referees
We try to appoint referees to games at u12 and above. Priority is given to cup games, and older age groups. Referees may be taken off a game at short notice, if they are required to officiate a county cup fixture or a more senior game. Many of our referees are under the age of 18, and are learning their necessary skills. We ask that you treat ALL referees with respect and consideration, bearing in mind they are only human, and will make mistakes.
All refereeing queries should be emailed to [email protected]
Overall Decision Making
Did the Referee:
- Recognise patterns of play and not invade player/game space
- Correctly recognise and award throw-ins, goal-kicks and corners
- Demonstrate consistent and credible recognition, detection and interpretation of 'normal' Law 12 offences i.e. but not limited to; foul tackles, holding, aerial challenges, handball etc.
- Recognise Law 11 + 12 offences and advantage application opportunities, not merely possession, applied in credible areas and/or applied without detriment to match control
- Demonstrate awareness of when appropriate to use the range of management techniques available, before resorting to formal disciplinary action i.e. the STEP process
- Recognise where player(s), teams(s) are using time consuming tactics and takes positive appropriate action i.e. preventative actions
- Demonstrate high levels of fitness and work rate throughout the entire game to meet the demands of the game
Judgement of Major Decisions
Cautions/Non-Cautions, Send Offs/Non-Send Offs, Penalties/Non-Penalties, Goal Awarded/Disallowed or other significant game changing decisions.
Did the Referee:
- Demonstrate identification of 'significant game impact' incidents and offences with appropriate action(s) applied
- Demonstrate the ability to recognise the importance of potential key match decisions and effectively move towards/gain an optimum viewing angle to (a) judge, (b) enhance credibility and (c) adds value to the decision
- In the highly unlikely event of there being no major decisions, a standard mark of 15 should be awarded to the Referee
- Recognise where player(s), teams(s) are using time consuming tactics and takes positive appropriate action i.e. preventative actions
- Demonstrate high levels of fitness and work rate throughout the entire game to meet the demands of the game
Overall Control and Player Management
Did the Referee:
- Act in a positive manner in their Pre-match Communication and Off-Field Behaviour
- Lead their team, ensuring all officials worked in harmony without contradictory decisions (where ARs are appointed)
- Display empathy for the game, managing game situations in an empathetic manner recognising the ever-changing ebbs/flows, nature and temperature of the game and adapts refereeing style to suit
- Recognise when/how to raise his/her profile to aide their match control and remain in self-control of emotions, demonstrating composure
- Recognise when appropriate to enter face-to-face dialogue with the Assistant Referee(s) (where applicable), to aide visual co-operation and major decision making
- Effectively manage, when appropriate, two-way interaction with players, technical staff etc.
- Demonstrate a natural authority/confidence – not influenced by players, spectators or team officials
