The official publication of

The Referees Association

The Referees Association
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Email:

02476 420360
contact@the-ra.org

Web: www.the-ra.org

The Voice of
The RA
Supporting Referees
since 1908

January
2016

Developing a Bright Future

We are delighted to announce our first QUEST gold award. This success represents
a fantastic achievement for the RA, and our congratulations go to Barkston Ash,
whose award has been independently verified by a team of business-qualified Quality
Assurance professionals.
This coming year really needs to be a turning point for The RA, and we invite every
member to come and join the journey by discovering for themselves about Operation
Sutcliffe, which is detailed within this newsletter. We have suffered from a lack of
members benefits, while other organisations are providing an alternative. There is
nothing wrong with competition, but we as a collective need to work together to see a
significant enhancement to members values, for which the key is local experience.
As has been mentioned before, history shows that the RA has needed to deal with
some tricky issues in its time, but never such a level of competitor activity. The
greatest risk previously has always been apathy or not wanting to rock the boat.
Whilst it is easy to build a new Website and make local promises, we need to raise our
overall game in order to provide members with a world-class service. This means
giving our LRAs all the necessary training materials, plus a framework which allows
them to offer enhanced benefits, such as QUEST, a Development Fund, and extra
benefits for QUEST-accredited LRAs, plus something for each individual member in
terms of training and membership benefits.
One question that has to be asked is why, since that RA-FA YC Development Fund
was launched, they have received 5 applications so far, yet none from an LRA!
There will soon be a new feature on the Website which will provide everyone with a
quality experience, and in particular an enhancement of individual membership
experiences. This will take a little time - but frankly we have not got time!

As always, we seek your views and comments for the positive development
of the RA. Please get in touch with us via email at: contact@the-ra.org

Whats inside?
Board Meeting Executive Summary, Announcements, Back in the Day, Events, Out & About

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Executive Summary
Board Meeting 6th December 2015
The Chairman thanked everyone for their continued efforts as the Association is now effectively being run
by volunteers, and this was a key aspect of building the organisations sustainability going forward. The
structure of the day would be split into two key areas: 1) Business; 2) Threats, and providing what the majority
of members want. The advance written reporting by Committees was a great asset in achieving the goal of
a sleek and diligent business meeting. There would be an open session on threats to the RA, and the risks
that the Association is facing. It is a crucial fact that these risks needed to be eliminated, otherwise the very
existence of the RA itself was in jeopardy.
For clarity, this Executive Summary is split into two sections.
Session One Business
1) The Board has written to around 1000 ex-members, inviting them back into the Association; we have received a mix of
replies, which were reviewed in open session as part of our development of the RA.
2) The Board commissioned a review of our current insurance policy, given what the competition is now offering, and asking
whether our present cover is relevant to members needs.
3) The Board will be swapping its bank from the Bank of Scotland to Natwest, due to constant poor service from BoS.
4) The Board agreed the process for PGMOL speakers, and this will be delivered at the CRA Meeting in January.
5) A sub-committee for the audit of board expenses will be appointed in January 2016.
6) Approval was agreed on a sub-contractor for the development and productionisation of our Website, aimed at enhancing
member benefits whilst reducing the work-load of our volunteer Officers at LRA and CRA levels.
7) The RA-FA YC Development Fund has received 5 applications, BUT none from any LRA; there will be a workshop at the
CRA Meeting in January aimed at ensuring that CRAs understand the process and their role, including the funding award.
8) The RA-FA YC will develop a Young Officer award aimed at providing evidence for future employment opportunities.
9) It was agreed that the RAs 2016 AGM will be held at 10:30 hours on Saturday 16th July 2016 at Hinckley Island Hotel.
10) The CRA Meeting to be held in January 2016 will be a forward-looking and positive-thinking event.
11) The 2016 Conference Weekend will have a development and educational theme, with a practical session being held at
Hinckley Utd FC, a quiz in the afternoon, our formal dinner on Saturday evening, and a full development day on Sunday.
12) Date of next Board Meeting: Sunday 21st February 2016.
Session Two Risk and Raising Our Game
Note from the Chairman: this is a top-line summary of the output regarding the future development of the RA. The Board has
agreed a significant CAPEX investment - Providing something for every member. The forthcoming CRA Meeting will have a
significant role to play. At this stage, our planning has commenced, but the development, plus our detailed plans, are ongoing.
The Chairman opened the session by stating there is an urgent need to raise our game. We as an organisation have talked for
too long about the reduction in our membership and the under-performance of many LRAs. The very existence of the RA is
under serious threat. The Association has benefitted from a significant downsize in staff numbers and from selling our old office.
It is now time for the members to see a resultant benefit. The Board must deliver what the overwhelming majority of members
want, namely to see value for their membership subscriptions, plus individual training and development available for every LRA
and every individual member 24/7/365.
The main output:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

Vision and Framework document - produced

Members-only portal - development and educational support with certified recognition of personal achievements
High quality training output
Establishment of a Core Tutor Group from within the membership
Enhancement of discounted kit sales to LRAs and Members
Treasurer given total financial oversight of CAPEX
The Board is in total agreement that something big needs to happen, and quickly
LRAs now have a Development Fund, a quality standard, and 4 membership for new referees
Enhanced training support given to LRAs who have QUEST accreditation

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Operation Sutcliffe
On the 5th March 1908, during his opening address at the Crosby Hotel,
the first RA Chairman Charles Sutcliffe outlined his vision for the Union.
This vision for the future of the RA was totally supported by the Board.
The current Board recently agreed a significant CAPEX to support the
demand and need for The RA to make a significant step change.

To improve as far as possible the standard of

Refereeing and to assist all existing Referees
Associations in their educational and general
work.
Thursday 5th March 1908
Charles Sutcliffe - RA Chairman

This will require the total support of every Officer and Member in joining the journey, which will be
bolstered by a multi-channel approach using the foundations of QUEST and the RA-FA YC
Development Fund, plus the provision of events that remain free to every Member.
There will be a fundamental step change in respect of the training materials which will be made
available to LRAs and to individual members 24/7/365. This will be further supported by a mircowebsite hosted by Sporting Touch which will offer substantial member benefits.
To enable total access to the portals for all of our Members, we are sadly lacking in core data
from LRAs. For each RA member to realise and access their benefits, we will need to align their
email address to their membership status. Providing an email address for every Member will
shortly be a mandatory field on RAMMS, hence there will be a need to capture all such missing
data. This will have to be processed by CRAs and LRAs as a matter of importance and urgency.

The 3 Es Education, Entertainment, Encouragement

1)
2)
3)

Add value by providing first-class training events free to members.

Giving discounts to LRAs on bulk buys, plus price reductions for all Members, via an
exclusive portal managed by Sporting Touch.
Providing the individual Member with a first-class training resource which is both
current and relevant, led by Board Members and a tutor group from RA members.

4) Updates from Sports Science, with leading contributions from the experts.
5) Enhanced development rewards for LRAs with QUEST accreditation.
These enhancements will be controlled by the Board, with full and robust financial oversight coming from the RA Treasurer and
fellow Board Members. We would welcome approaches from anyone who can offer real vision and who can be creative in
themes and content. This investment will take time (which we havent really got), but a determined approach will see us
collectively raise the bar and thus produce an increased expectation.

Since the launch of QUEST at the CRA Meeting held in 2013, we are delighted to announce the first award of Gold Level,
which goes to Barkston Ash. This is a great achievement, and our congratulations go to the whole of the Barkston Ash LRA for
having had the vision to achieve this award.

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Website

Every LRA can now update their own page. We just need a recognised Officer from that LRA to contact
itsupport@the-ra.org and request a login. You will then receive full login details, along with short instructions on
the update procedures. Maintaining your details through the site will help us to ensure that we have up-to-date
circulation details for all our LRAs.
We welcome news from LRAs and CRAs, plus any suggestions you have about other items for inclusion.

Twitter

Facebook

Appeal for articles

Do you have any training or interesting news articles? If so, then let us spread the word that the Referees Association
is open for business. Let others know how you are leading the way in the development of your own LRA and in
enhancing the performance of your members.
Please send your articles in word/images as jpegs to:

contact@the-ra.org

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Eve-of-Final Rally
Meet the FA Cup Final Match Officials:
Friday 20th May 2016
One Great George Street, Central London

(under 5 minutes from Westminster)

The RA Conference 2016

Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley, Leicestershire
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July 2016

There really is something for everyone .

Out and About

Wolverhampton RA
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Out and About

Wolverhampton RA were recently presented with the Birmingham & Warwickshire Referees Association's Joint Committee Shield by
Martin Attwell, Chairman of BWRAJC, at their monthly meeting held in October 2015 at Solihull. This Award is given to the LRA in
the Midlands region that has been the most successful over the year in retaining and improving membership numbers. Wolverhampton
RA had 136 members at the end of September 2015 (close of season 14-15). At our recent Christmas meal held at Linden House Hotel
in Wolverhampton on 10th December 2015, Chairman Phil Reade presented the Award to the members who were in attendance.
Wolverhampton RA has had a marvellous year, and we are all proud to receive this Award and acknowledge that our colleagues from
other local societies appreciate the hard work and effort that we have put in to become the largest LRA in the country. I would like to
thank all of our members who have supported Wolverhampton RA, especially those who make the effort each time to attend the monthly
meetings at the Clarendon Hotel. Our attendances have increased, and we have seen some excellent Guest Speakers who have been
more than happy to accept our invitation to attend. We have a Committee that all want the best for our LRA, and we trust each other to
achieve this goal. The comradeship is second to none, and we have a mix of well experienced Officers on board as well as some
younger members who all have their own ideas for the future development of Wolverhampton RA, so we look forward to 2016 with great
optimism. Former members of Wolverhampton RA such as Jack Taylor OBE would be really happy in the knowledge that we are
blossoming and attracting members to join us when other LRAs seem to be struggling with membership figures.

Martyn Coombs reflects

REFEREE
In my youth I used to get fit to referee. Now, as I approach my 60th birthday, I referee to get fit. At school, I was a runner representing County
Durham in the nationals at Leicester, and for Sunderland Harriers in events all over the north east. In the 1980s I completed two London Marathons
in 3 hours, 08 minutes, 28 seconds and 3 hours, 08 minutes, 20 seconds, as well as many half-marathons. I spent 33 years at Bedale High School
as a teacher of physical education and played football for the town team for many years. I have always refereed in the local Saturday and Sunday
leagues as well as the Teesside League and Northern League line. Fitness has never been an issue for me.
In my younger years I was never an advocate of warming up before participating in sport. I remember GB athletics coach Wilf Paish telling the
assembled teachers on an athletics course that he didnt believe in warming up for pupils prior to PE lessons. He reminded us that he had never
seen a pupil warm up before spontaneous exercise during break or lunch times, and there had never been an injury on these occasions resulting
from a pupil not warming up. I cannot remember a single time when I have warmed up before playing or refereeing a football game until
more recent years. These days, it is vital for me to encourage my relaxed muscles to get ready for exercise.
I still get a huge buzz when the monthly fixtures come out for the Black Sheep Brewery Hambleton Combination. Despite having undergone a total
knee replacement operation last year, plus keyhole knee surgery and lots of cortisone injections for painful achilles problems, I have learned how to
conserve my energy so as to be able to get around the pitch and to control 22 players for 90 minutes, and I would like to share these strategies with
other referees who might not now be as fit as they once were.

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1) Warm up: My first top tip is to make sure I have stretched off sufficiently to prevent any pulls or strains during the match. Once the game starts,
if I feel something is not quite right, I will happily take preventative measures so as not to aggravate the problem. That is, slow down! We oldies
need to look after ourselves and molly-coddle these little twinges before they develop into bigger problems. Before a game, I always try to stretch
off my achilles, calves, hamstrings and groin. I dont bother with any upper body stretching, just my legs, because these are what I rely on to get me
through the 90 minutes.
2) Mental fitness: I now accept that I am never going to be able to cover every blade of grass, so my fitness is mostly in the mind. I watch football
games on TV and, as a season ticket holder at Sunderland, I analyse refereeing performances. I would like to think I know and understand the
Laws of the Game. I ensure I am totally focussed on whatever match I have been allocated. I treat every game like my little cup final. I remain
determined to get every decision right, even if it is from afar. I try to treat every game as though it was my last, because one day I will be right.
3) Positioning and anticipation: Without doubt, these are key to any successful outcome. At the kick-off, goal-kicks and kicks from the keepers
hands, I make sure I am positioned near the anticipated dropping zone. Dont worry about the ball being positioned in the 6-yard box or the keeper
encroaching towards the front of the 18-yard area - there are far more important things to worry about. Consider whether you need to be on the
spot to administer every free kick. If the players are happy to get on with it, let them, and take up your position where you anticipate the ball will go.
If a ceremonial free kick is needed, do it, but think about where you need to be next and gradually get there. Positioning for me is about getting a
head start. Dont be too bothered about where the ball is, but more about where it is going next, because that is where you need to be.
4) Misconduct: For every incident when you have stopped the game, take your time. Rather than rushing over to the incident, walk and observe,
whilst talking, shouting or whistling calmly to players. If a card is required, do it methodically to give you time to recover. Agree to meet the
offending player on neutral ground, half-way between you and him, and indicate where you would like to meet him. Take your time, and think about
how you will manage the incident. These incidents are ideal opportunities to catch your breath. If it involves an injury, take the opportunity also to
fill up on water from the trainers supply. Dont encourage players to get up too soon - you need the rest!
5) Conserve energy: I spent over 30 years in school telling pupils to WALK, dont RUN (unless it was a cross-country), and this is how I try to
manage a game of football. Why run if you can get there just as quickly by walking? Never try to stride out or sprint at our age - you will only
succeed in pulling something. I use lots of small steps in the style of Roger Kirkpatrick (if anyone remembers him). I try to use every stoppage to
conserve energy and to recover, which is why I love substitutions. These are usually later in the game when I am feeling a bit tired.
6) Diagonal system: Operating with qualified assistant referees, the diagonal system is faultless; but operating on a Sunday morning without this
support, I much prefer the centre circle approach. Imagine you are tethered to the centre-spot by a piece of rope that is as long as you can
comfortably manage. This is my sphere of management. Forget about getting down to the goal-line, forget about getting into the corners, just do
what you can to effectively manage the game; and if this means staying within 20 yards of the centre circle, then so be it. If you feel a bit more
confident, then by all means venture a little bit further away from your comfort zone.
7) Accept your limitations: It is so difficult to accept that we are getting old and there are some things we just cannot do anymore. Running
backwards or backpedalling is an absolute no-no, unless you want to be carried from the field of play. Simply turn your head whilst walking or
jogging forwards. You can still see. You are never going to be able to keep up with a speed merchant, so dont try. Unfortunately, speed is a part
of your life that is long gone. It is all about endurance. Do everything possible to last the 90 minutes.
8) Communicate: It is highly likely you will be managing players who you have refereed for many years. You probably refereed their dads, so use
this as an advantage before the kick-off by engaging them in banter. Make light of your advancing years and have some good one-liners to throw
back at them. Blagging is an extremely useful tool. Sell your decisions with the air of confidence which can only be achieved by one who has been
refereeing for years. How can you give that from there, ref? Because Im a good ref is my bog-standard answer. When you get the questioning
about an offside that you have not given, blame the poor full back. Number 3 played them on, lads, not me. We all have our one-liners and, as we
get older, we need to use them more and more. I remember doing the bottom two teams in our bottom division and getting some stick from a centre
half of the bottom team. My response was that there was a very good reason why he was playing for the worst team in the league and I was
refereeing the game. It ended in laughter.
9) Stay calm: As I get older, I have become far more melancholic, far less agitated, and far more calm. I havent had road-rage for years. In semiretirement, I am in a very contented place in my life, and I hope I take this on to the field of play. No-one is going to get under my skin, and nothing
is going to get me rattled. I suppose this calmness helps me to manage players and keep yellow cards to a minimum. If you can keep your head
when all around are losing theirs and blaming it on you, youll be a ref, my son.
10) Have fun: At my age, I still do this for fun. I love the craic and banter with players, and to be able to facilitate a game of football where 22
players can go out and enjoy a hard-fought, competitive game of footy is a wonderful experience. The handshakes at the end make it all
worthwhile, and so long as I continue to enjoy it, I will carry on, whilst continuing to make even more small adjustments to my style of refereeing.

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