October Referee Update
A lot of urban myths going around regarding refereeing, so it's hoped the following will clear some of these up.
Referee Coverage
The stats for referee coverage are up from this stage last season, and that is despite a poor start. Weekend of 28th September we had 62% coverage all age-groups (U15 had 75% coverage) - still room for improvement but not as bad as some are making out. At the same point in time last season, the coverage was 52%. Its worth noting, that the number of games played is also higher this season as well.
Number of Referees Registered with the League
End of Sept 2013/14:120 registered refs with the League
End of Sept 2014/15: 299 registered refs with the League
Clubs have NOT been fined for not using a League Registered Referee
We must be clear. NO teams have been fined for using a non-registered ref. Teams have been fined for falsify a matchsheet by saying they saw a League ref ID card when the person concerned has not got one. On the Full Time match sheet you should only tick YES you have seen the referee ID card if you have actually seen it. The League has a list of who has a League Referee ID card, so easy for the League to verify this.
Speed of League ID Cards Processed
The League have turned ID cards around in 24 hours, once the appropriate checks are made. The delay is with the CRC process. The League does not process CRCs. We can only register a referee when the County FA confirm that that individual has had their CRC accepted by the FA.
Referee Rules/Regulations
The rules regarding been complaint for youth football changed this season by the FA, with refs having to have an in date CRC to referee in youth football.
Referee Fees
The Referee fees are set by Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA and can be found at
http://sheffieldjfl.pitchero.com/page/referees/referee-fees/referee-fees-6097/
Referee ID Card Sample
A sample card is in that section of the website and has also featured in past newsletters.
All referees in the League will need to produce an ID card, very much like players currently have to, before every League and cup fixture in the Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League. This will give the team managers confidence that the referee is indeed qualified and registered.
Possession of an ID card is not a license to referee. It is to verify identity. Clubs should still check that the referee they are using/their opponents are providing appears on the League list which will be available on the website.
Click here to see a sample League Referee ID Card
Referee Process
The process is very simple to understand and documented at http://sheffieldjfl.pitchero.com/page/referees-630/
The home team makes contact with the away team 5 clear days before the fixture. During that contact the home teams informs the away team of:
• Venue & directions
• Kick off time
• Kit colours
• Referee
If the home team does not have a ref appointed who is on the league list they MUST inform their opponents. The opponents can then see if they can find a ref to do the fixture.
If the home does have a referee on the League list for the fixture, they need to make sure the referee is appointed on the Full Time system. This can be done by emailingreferee@junleague.com with the refs name and the fixture they are doing
If teams do not have a referee they can email referee@junleague.com by 8pm on the Monday before the fixture. This means that the details of the fixture are emailed out to all League referees, and they will respond to clubs directly if they want to take the fixture. This helps refs as they only get one email and not many calls and emails.
If both teams cannot find a referee with a League ID card then they must agree on a stand in official. A stand in official CANNOT referee on a regular basis
List of Referees
A list of League registered refs is on the League website (click here to view it), equally a list of people who have ref more than one game are listed (clear here to view that list).
Refs have made it clear, that they only one want one email (from the League) with games available and they will contact the clubs/teams to book themselves that game. This saves refs receiving many emails and phone calls that could drive them away.
Referee CRC
As many of you will be aware, recent legislative changes means that any Referee; including Referee tutor/mentor/coach/assessor, over the age of 16 who intends to officiate in youth football (U18) will require an FA ‘Accepted’ CRC (formerly CRB). The FA have implemented a three year renewal policy for all criminal record checks, this means that only CRCs/CRBs issued since January 2010 will be accepted for those working in youth football for this season. Those CRCs/CRBS dated before 1st January 2010 will NOT be accepted. If match officials without an FA CRC state that it is their intention to officiate within youth football during the coming season, they must successfully complete the CRC application process as soon as possible. Until a check is complete these referees are unable to officiate youth football. Please note from September 2014, Referees will be responsible for the organisation of their CRC verification. It is the joint responsibility of the League, Clubs and Referees to ensure that all referees officiating in their league hold a current, approved CRC. This is why the Leagues Referee ID card scheme is so vitally important. Referees are issued with an ID card once the League has made checks and confirmed with the appropriate County FA. Any refs who are suspended or no longer compliant are removed from the League list on the website. The list operates in conjunction with the ID card.