Mick.
RefChat Addict
I know that this subject has been discussed on various posts, but I just want to tell you about my recent incident.
I very rarely ref junior matches and only really do it as a favour. My son plays in U12 and on a couple of occassions, when the ref has not appeared or one hasn't been allocated, I have been asked to do it. Similarly, the team that my son used to play for regularly don't get a ref and I have offered to assist there. It is really nice to do it for teams that don't normally see a ref as the boys (and coaches) seem to really appreciate a neutral official.
I have always been of the opinion that as children go up the age groups there are more things that they need to get a grip of and suffer penalties for failing. At U11 I would sometimes let the thrower of a foul throw have another go. Mess it up twice and it went to the other side. At U12, they don't get another go, it passes straight over. Likewise, if a player fouls and it falls into the reckless area I would be more inclined to pull a player to one side and have a word. If it was more serious I may call the coach and look to get the player subbed out.
I know that there are many that think all players, regardless of age, should be subject to the full LOTG, but I do think that we also have a duty to teach and nurture. I also believe that once players reach U13 they should be looking at cards for their tackles.
Last week I was asked to ref my son's game against blues. It was a generally well fought game with both sides trying very hard. I gave a foul against my sons team (reds) and was told by the fouler (bearing in mind this boy is about 11-12) that my call was bullsh@t. I blew the whistle, called him over and gave him a stern talking to regarding his dissent. I looked over at his dad (who was assisting the coach) and indicated to have word at half time. This seemed to work and there were no further incidents from this boy.
In the second half, one red player, who I had earlier warned for a tackle (and who I know likes to arrive a little late) was following a blue attacker. The blue attacker had his ankles clipped by a player from his own side and went down. The play continued away from him but I kept an eye on him. As the red player ran past, he "attempted" to jump over the blue player's legs but stamped on his ankle. To me, it looked like a deliberate act. I blew up and gave a foul to blue. I called across to the red coach to sub this boy out now. I know that I could have sent him off for VC but, based on what I have described above, I was happy for him to be subbed off. There were only about 5-10 minutes left of the game and he could have stayed off for that. Unfortunately, the player wasn't too happy with my decision and, as he walked off, he turned to me and quite loudly said, "You're crap." I blew my whistle, called him back and told him that I wasn't going to put up with his dissent and told him that he was cautioned. As he walked away I called across to the coach that he now had a yellow card (I didn't have any cards or match reports with me).
The boy, his father and the coach came across to me aftewards to apologise and explain to the boy why what he did was wrong. I got a sort of half-arsed apolody from him but I don't really think he gave a toss.
The report went in that night to the CFA.
I accept that had it been adults I may have red carded him for the VC. Similarly, had I chosen not to red card him I could have done so for the OFFINABUS, but hopefully when the fine comes through his father might have something more to say to him.
It has left me feeling that I probably won't offer my services to the reds again, as it did make things a little uncomfortable afterwards.
I very rarely ref junior matches and only really do it as a favour. My son plays in U12 and on a couple of occassions, when the ref has not appeared or one hasn't been allocated, I have been asked to do it. Similarly, the team that my son used to play for regularly don't get a ref and I have offered to assist there. It is really nice to do it for teams that don't normally see a ref as the boys (and coaches) seem to really appreciate a neutral official.
I have always been of the opinion that as children go up the age groups there are more things that they need to get a grip of and suffer penalties for failing. At U11 I would sometimes let the thrower of a foul throw have another go. Mess it up twice and it went to the other side. At U12, they don't get another go, it passes straight over. Likewise, if a player fouls and it falls into the reckless area I would be more inclined to pull a player to one side and have a word. If it was more serious I may call the coach and look to get the player subbed out.
I know that there are many that think all players, regardless of age, should be subject to the full LOTG, but I do think that we also have a duty to teach and nurture. I also believe that once players reach U13 they should be looking at cards for their tackles.
Last week I was asked to ref my son's game against blues. It was a generally well fought game with both sides trying very hard. I gave a foul against my sons team (reds) and was told by the fouler (bearing in mind this boy is about 11-12) that my call was bullsh@t. I blew the whistle, called him over and gave him a stern talking to regarding his dissent. I looked over at his dad (who was assisting the coach) and indicated to have word at half time. This seemed to work and there were no further incidents from this boy.
In the second half, one red player, who I had earlier warned for a tackle (and who I know likes to arrive a little late) was following a blue attacker. The blue attacker had his ankles clipped by a player from his own side and went down. The play continued away from him but I kept an eye on him. As the red player ran past, he "attempted" to jump over the blue player's legs but stamped on his ankle. To me, it looked like a deliberate act. I blew up and gave a foul to blue. I called across to the red coach to sub this boy out now. I know that I could have sent him off for VC but, based on what I have described above, I was happy for him to be subbed off. There were only about 5-10 minutes left of the game and he could have stayed off for that. Unfortunately, the player wasn't too happy with my decision and, as he walked off, he turned to me and quite loudly said, "You're crap." I blew my whistle, called him back and told him that I wasn't going to put up with his dissent and told him that he was cautioned. As he walked away I called across to the coach that he now had a yellow card (I didn't have any cards or match reports with me).
The boy, his father and the coach came across to me aftewards to apologise and explain to the boy why what he did was wrong. I got a sort of half-arsed apolody from him but I don't really think he gave a toss.
The report went in that night to the CFA.
I accept that had it been adults I may have red carded him for the VC. Similarly, had I chosen not to red card him I could have done so for the OFFINABUS, but hopefully when the fine comes through his father might have something more to say to him.
It has left me feeling that I probably won't offer my services to the reds again, as it did make things a little uncomfortable afterwards.
