Just saw this Tweet and wondered if anyone knew what had happened here. By the sounds of it yet another example of attitudes about professional referees being applied to grassroots refs, and young, new ones at that.
That's half the problem too.I was promised an observer within my first 5 games which never happened and I've had to 'learn on the job' as they say (with lots of help from refchat!) but it's been ok as a mature adult. A couple of the 'kids' on my course were too shy to even call out 'blue throw' etc in the exercises so I truly hope they got more help than I did.
Some grassroots youth coaches are half the problem, especially those with an ex-player mentality. They come complete with a full book of myths that they then teach to kids. I still believe the LOTG should be taught to Level 1 coaches as part of their course. At least an overview with some of the more common misconceptions.
That's half the problem too.
Before I moved north I enrolled in being an observer for new refs. Travelled to a game and arrived about 20 minutes before the ref did. Think that was more because I overestimated traffic.
Anyway... I walked the pitch. Saw some potential problems but thought I'd not say anything until I got the verdict from the ref himself. A 15 year old who has come out with his dad to support him.
The pitch itself was covered in glass. It was part of the top soil I found out when it was relaid. But there were some really chunky bits too. For me it was dangerous. The ref did spot it, thankfully.
He called the game off. Home team wasn't happy. Said a few choice words before I intercepted on the young refs behalf, apologised for doing so as it could look like I was taking over after, but felt the coach was going overboard for this young mans first couple of games.
Clearly there is no incentive for anyone to do this. Some refs do it solely for the money and when they're told it's expenses only etc they don't want to help.
You have liners on U9 games?!Luckily for me (and my kids), two nearby clubs pay for 3-man crews for U9, U10, U11, and U12 small sided games. After my kids became certified at age 13, they learned and gained experience by being assistant referees for U9 and U10 recreational league games where I or a friend was the center referee. Then they started doing assistant referee for U11 and U12 recreational league games. Then started centering U9/U10 rec games where I was one of their assistant referees. My oldest is now a U17 and is pretty confident referee and center referees competitive league matches up to age U15 and is starting to be assistant referee at the highest level youth leagues for U13-U15. My youngest son is U15 and still only does U9-U12 recreational league games. I agree that a 14 year old's first game should not be centering a U12 match....especially without assistant referees.
Yes, not every club does it though. Fortunately, the two neighboring clubs where I live pays for linos at U9, U10, U11, and U12. And they pay like $20/game for 25 minute halves. So not bad for a 13 year old. Great environment to learn the ropes.You have liners on U9 games?!
I moved north of the border a few years ago.
I know of about 2 referees here. If I had a bad game, or think I had one, I don't know who to talk to about it. Get advice etc. And I can't imagine a lot of others do. It is extremely rare for a team of officials to go out together.
I'm not disagreeing about the "training". There is a physical training session that takes place in the association I am in.Sorry to hear you feel this way. You must have joined one of the SFA Referee Associations when you moved, training takes place weekly in every association and meetings held every couple of months. Get yourself along to these and meet other referees at all levels of the game.
Each association also has an advisory panel for grassroots games, get in touch with these guys for support and advice as well.