REFEREES
 

Another Successful Course

by Brian Hamilton
 
Over the weekend of 26th/27th July, 24 candidates successfully completed the Basic Course for New Referees at the headquarters of the West Riding County FA .
 
The Course actually started on Tuesday 22nd July when candidates attended an Introduction Evening.  Candidates were introduced to course staff as well hearing from current, active referees of all levels, what they think about refereeing. It was also an opportunity for the instructional team to find out what the candidates know about the Laws of Association Football, as a multi-choice test-paper was completed and marked on the night. Finally, the last of the course materials are presented with an outline of how the course will be run, and what was expected of the candidates.
 
The following evening was the Safeguarding Children Workshop. This aspect of the course is mandatory, as it is the Football Association’s aim to ensure all possible steps are taken to protect the most vulnerable people within society. For those candidates who may have had or continue to have involvement with junior football and already possess a valid Certificate obtained through the FA, dispensation is given and attendance at this workshop was not required. 
 
So onto the weekend and at this point Heavy Woollen District based referee and assessor Brian Hamilton who spent the weekend observing the course takes up the story...
 
Saturday, 26th July 2008
What did you do over the weekend is often the first question asked whenever you get back to work on Monday morning.
 
My usual reply, between August and May, is that I've been out running around on some grass, making decisions and resolving arguments. This weekend has been completely different. Over the last two days I have been watching a group of instructors lecturing, cajoling, encouraging, teaching, directing, supporting and leading a group of 24 diverse individuals towards one goal - their qualification as Referees of Association Football.
 
The group was made up of 20 male and 4 female students from all corners of the County. Their ages ranged from teenagers to mid-40s (my age!!!). Their enthusiasm levels on my arrival just after the first cups of coffee had been drunk also seemed to vary significantly too.
 
Jamie Waters was leading the course with brothers Andy and Bobby Madley ably supporting along with Emma Everson and relocated Essex Lad Elliott Kaye. RDO Steve Rhodes, John Byrne and David Fuller were in close attendance, each with a part to play in terms of leading a session. Duncan Street was there too, primarily to familiarize himself with the Practical Course but would also lead a session the following day ... here's the group of instructors!
 
 
An icebreaker took place where each candidate had the opportunity to talk a little about why they had come along to the course, which team they supported, etc. Jamie, Andy and Bobby (all committed Huddersfield Town supporters) were disappointed to find that the majority of the candidates were supporters of Leeds United - I was very pleased!
 
Once the icebreaker was completed the first exercise involved the candidates, who were already sitting in groups of 6, being asked to volunteer their ideas about the attributes and skills required by a good referee. This was a great interactive session with all of the candidates wanting to get their ideas across. Elliott’s group was closest to mine and he did a great job of capturing everything on a flipchart, despite an unfortunate writing accident but I'll let it lie for now but I don't think I'll ever consider using the word 'composure' in conversation again!
 
 
Other indoor sessions took place involving pre-match preparation, the closing of dates, dealing with correspondence, route planning, etc. and I felt that because it was something that was unfamiliar to the candidates, they seemed to have a lesser understanding of the subject. In fact I would go as far as to say that this session was probably the closest to the course I did when I qualified back in 2000. It was a dry subject and Emma did well to get through it. 
 
Bobby had a session on the Powers and Duties of a Referee, again inside and this proved to be something of a gateway session. It led to later sessions on Fouls and Misconduct/Delays, Suspensions and Postponements and others that I missed on Sunday morning. It also led to an amazing recap session on Sunday when one candidate reeled off the Powers and Duties almost word for word and in order. It was very impressive considering a similar exercise at our local RA saw groups of up to 6 struggle to name them all, yet this fellow ran through them almost without hesitation. He certainly earned his round of applause from the group and the instructors.
 
This opening period in the classroom was quickly followed by a group break out session. The weather was fantastic and lent itself perfectly to the next few sessions which all took place outside on the field marked out at County HQ . The field is marked with the same dimensions as the field at Wembley stadium and has been used more than once by the England national team for pre-match training sessions.
 
The groups separated and spent time practicing those skills which can never be learned from a book or even watching a game.
There is nothing which can prepare you for the moment when you first have to blow a whistle to stop play or raise a flag to indicate an offside offence has been committed EXCEPT if you can practice them in the safe company of other (trainee) referees.
 
The candidates all had the chance to blow a whistle without anyone ridiculing them, giving them a funny look or asking them what they were doing - as might have happened if they had been obliged to practice at home - like I had to many moons ago!!!
 
They were also led through the various signals that an Assistant referee may have to use during the course of a game, ball out of play for a throw-in/goal kick/corner kick, an offence occurs which needs a free kick/kick form the penalty mark to be awarded and of course, the most controversial (usually) offside offences - near/middle/far. Most of the candidates did quite well and when they were off the mark, they were supported and coached to make the correct signal.
 
 
The levels of engagement and commitment were again variable but every candidate in Elliott and Emma’s group gave it their all. I had my first chance to join in as I joined the group when they were practicing blowing a whistle. As we all probably do when we first try it out, the feeble little peep sounds like a huge trumpet blast to our ears, but in truth, it is just that, a peep. The candidates all became more confident and it was interesting that on the practical examination (more of that later) on Sunday, many had become much more bold.
 
More sessions outside dealing with the awarding of free kicks, the management of players in a defensive wall and adjudging the required distance at a restart avoided the potential for loss of interest. I had to drag myself away to get ready for a night in the company of the fine gentlemen (and their spouses) of my local RA, but the groups were apparently sent home with homework to do and it was evident the next morning, that some had taken it more seriously than others!
 
John then led an indoor session on Application of law surrounding free kicks and sanction which involve the candidates displaying blue, yellow and red cards to indicate their identification of careless, reckless challenges and those using excessive force.  The level of knowledge was unexpectedly high and John came through the session with much credit, especially as Steve was carrying out an appraisal on him part of the re-licensing process.
Jamie rounded the day off with a recap of subjects covered and a look forward to the following day.
 
Saturday evening was enjoyed in the company of John and his family, many refereeing friends and their spouses. Fantastic barbecue Mrs Byrne!
 
Everyone had a good evening and when we slipped away at around 11, the party was still in full swing and apparently continued for around another 2 hours. There was certainly no sign of any jaded minds or bodies when the instructors opened day two of the course the following morning.
 
I'm sure many comments were made about various subjects but in the interests of what "goes on tour, stays on tour" and a very tired mind - it had been a very long day, - I had/have forgotten most of what was said. I can honestly say it couldn't be attributed to the booze as I took it easy over the 3 hours or so we managed before my little boy decided he wanted to go home to bed :-) 
 
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Sunday started with Andy reviewing the key learning points from the previous day.  Reaction from the candidates was slow in forthcoming but as the session continued they started giving more feedback and it eventually became more lively.
 
Elliott followed with a vocal indoor session on advantage.  Playing advantage is something that often the referee can’t win on – he is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t and damned when it goes wrong.  Many referees feel self conscious about the waving of arms and shouting ‘play on, advantage’ – I know, I was once one of them.  This lesson should have dispelled any fears of doing so as eventually everyone was singing in unison from the same hymn sheet.
It was then time to go outside to look at Misconduct and procedures.  Andy and Emma led the two groups, ably assisted by Jamie and Bobby.  The group leader revisited the penal offences and then went on to teach the candidates the correct procedures of cautioning and sending off, the objective of which was to give the candidates the knowhow and confidence to complete the necessary procedure.  Each candidate had several chances to caution/send off first and instructor and then a fellow candidate and by the end of the session oozed confidence. 
 
Included in this session was also the management of players following a mass confrontation.  Several candidates enthusiastically simulated the confrontational players whilst a lone candidate had to detect and deal with the protagonists.  Whilst not the real thing, it was a worthwhile simulation I wish had been available to me when I started refereeing.
There then followed a session on Penalty Kicks.  The whole scenario of a penalty kick was played out by the candidates, taking turns to be kicker, defenders, attackers, goalkeeper and referee and all options were covered and I was again impressed by their knowledge.
  
The course then moved inside and Andy gave an informative talk on report writing with Jamie using his IT skills to go through the ‘online’ form on screen.  A challenge using excessive force was then played on screen and the candidates had to complete a sending off form.  Referees Committee Chairman, Barry Chaplin went through the completed forms and later in the day made a general critique on the exercise before going on to stress the need for careful filling in of forms and attendance at personal hearings adding that if you sent in a good report their was less chance of the player asking for one.   I have only had to attend one appeal – so I must be doing something right!
 
I'd watched Duncan prepare and adjust his presentation over and over again on Saturday until he was happy with the structure and the content; a tweak here, a tweak there, change of font, change of colour, change of background.  His presentation went well and was accompanied by graphics used by the big boys of the PGMO.  Offside always presents itself with differing opinions and it was the same on this occasion but Duncan held firm but always added ‘….if, in the opinion of the referee…’
 
David went through the causes and procedures for a delayed, suspended, postponed or abandoned game. Some of this was a refresher from a practical outdoor session the previous day and some of it had the potential to quash any enthusiasm - it never happened. Despite having the traditional post lunch 'graveyard' session David kept the tone light and the candidates were now beginning to twitch in anticipation of the examinations.
 
Jamie ran through a revision session with all the groups to make sure any questions, which had been parked during the previous 1˝ days were covered. The questions were wide ranging and certainly showed that the candidates had been thinking about their subject in some detail.
 
 
All of the questions were relevant either to the course or the instructors. In answering them, the instructors increased their credibility by being able to demonstrate their in depth knowledge as well as refer back to their own experiences.
 
Then at last it was time for the practical examination. Each instructor took a pair of candidates to a different location around the field of play and asked them a series of questions based on practical aspects of refereeing. This included demonstrating the correct hand signals, making use of a flag and also a whistle as well as talking through how they would manage certain in-game situations.
 
I found the questions straight forward as I was able to visualise the scenarios being described, for some of the candidates however it was more difficult. This took me back to my own Oral examination back in April 2000 and just as then, careful coaxing, encouragement, coaching and a huge dollop of patience by a dedicated instructor ensured the candidates provided the correct answers.
 
Back inside the building the other groups were undertaking the written examination in the form of a series of multiple-choice questions, each based on some aspect of the laws of Association Football but described in a practical situation. The candidates all seemed to cope pretty well with this part and all too soon, the examinations were complete and it was time for marking.
 
Andy did a great session on what a referee must carry in his kitbag and expanded this further with a demonstration of buzzer flags. I'm sure it was intentionally haphazard as I noticed the tension start to drain away from the candidates who were awaiting their results. The news was good and all candidates had passed. Jamie ran through the next major step - getting match experience. Each trainee now had to arrange to referee 6 games of 11 v 11 games in any age group before the end of September.
 
At the beginning of October they will all be invited back to County HQ where they will be officially confirmed as fully-fledged referees. In between times they have all been offered the services of a coach, one of the instructors from the course, who will be there to offer support and to listen after a tough game, or to congratulate after a good one. For many of the candidates their qualification means their club will always have the services of a qualified referee, something that might not have been possible last season.
 
For some it meant they had a means of keeping involved in a sport they obviously had a passion for, but were no longer able to achieve what they wanted as a player or coach. For others the course represented the start of something great, the path to refereeing in the FA Cup Final.
 
It might seem a little pretentious to say that but on a course like this one, somewhere in England, someone is taking the first steps to undertaking that role and to representing their country at a major championship just as David Elleray, Graham Poll, Mike Riley and Howard Webb have done over the last decade. I hope that some day the referees I coach at the Academy will make it to the professional game. Many of these candidates, because of their age and aptitude have a good a chance as any. It would be nice to think I could say I remember them becoming referees ...
 
Footnote:  Towards the end of the day I was asked if I was thinking about becoming an instructor?  I had to admit that all I needed was someone to ask me. I'm going to deliver a presentation about the course to the local RA in a few weeks. If it goes well, I'd like to pursue that further. Who knows, I might help train the World Cup Final referee from 2034??? 
  
The County are always looking to recruit new referees.  Anyone wanting to 'take up the whistle' should contact Steve Rhodes on...

0113 282 1222

or email

Stephen.Rhodes@wrcfa.com