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Redref34

Well-Known Member
Level 5 Referee
Hi all

Why do county FAS and RDOs seem to place weak or even under 18 officials on really difficult and tough games?

Step 6/7 - I have been placed on the line of a referee who is not only under 18 but who I know has had a really tough time this season with a very nasty incident. I am all for supporting and given young and new referees games but it does seem to be to be a little counter intuitive. Not only that it could be seen as pretty dangerous as these games need managing properly as not to descend into chaos.

Is there an arrogance of if your a referee you should just be entitled to referee any game and it doesn’t matter what it is or do RDOs have a method to their appointments?
 
The Ref Stop
Is it a step 6/7 game? If it's step 6 then they are a level 4 referee or at least on promotion pathway.

RDOs don't normally do appointments. These are usually handled by a dedicated person at the CFA or the league.

Methods are usually availability of refs, availability of observers if the referee needs a certain type of game for the promotion pathway, performance will come into it, referee experience Vs expected difficulty of game, knowledge of referee.
 
Apologies I have had this experience with county cup appointments which are done by my RDO. I wasn’t clear. I have also had this experience with an appointment officer at step 7 but also find it happens to me at step 6 as well!

Maybe it is just me - I like to support other referees and maybe that is why I am being asked to take these roles as an AR - however it is difficult when the game becomes out of control and you have to try and support a referee who has made some errors.
 
It doesn't sound like you have much personal experience of this referee, and are prejudging what will happen based on their age and a past incident?
 
CaptainsPlease said:
It doesn't sound like you have much personal experience of this referee, and are prejudging what will happen based on their age and a past incident?
Click to expand...

Not just one. Seems like a pattern. We all know the referees in our league and the referees in our area enough to know how the game is likely to go if you are a AR on one of their fixtures. Of course - completely understand that the game could go fantastically. I just don’t see why referees would be put in a situation if it can be avoided.

Again - I am happy to support referees - I would much rather do this with me being in the middle and them watching me than the other way round.
 
Ok so step 7 v step 6 in county cup..that makes sense.

So I would guess that the referee is probably going 5-4 and needs to be observed on a competition using neutral assistant referees. Despite you belief about the referees readiness they are on the pathway and have to be given an opportunity to show that they are ready, or not, for the next level.

At levels where retention and promotion are a thing it's about balance. You can't hide referees from the more challenging games because that's not fair on those that have to then referee those games more frequently but also the ref who doesn't get the game misses out on learning or it it is a case they aren't up to standard they are retained because they get easy games.

If you don't want to AR for this ref based on hearsay or past experience then take it up with the appointments officer or turn up, do your best job to help and support without prejudging them. They may have since had help and support around areas they might have struggled with. You might be able to fill in some gaps.
 
Thanks all, taken on board. I just thought there may have been some sort of system whereby high stakes or potentially difficult to manage games may have not being given to inexperienced, young or even poor officials in the interest of fairness. I understand that there needs to be a time whereby officials are given these games but it seems to me that some problems are caused before they have even started.
 
There is also a general approach of gradually exposing younger referees to more difficult games. It operates like a rubber band - easy, moderate, difficult, easy and so on. We can’t expect younger referees to improve if we don’t expose them to games that are at the end of their reach of capability and experience. In these circumstances they can benefit immensely from the support of having a good and more experienced team around them. Here’s a great chance to help someone perhaps slightly out of their depth find their footing and build their confidence. As still a youngish referee myself, I reflect fondly on all those amazing referees who helped improve my game and point me in the right direction.
 
I think @JamesL has nailed this, the referee will be on promotion and therefore has to be given challenging games, or at least games that may be challenging. Otherwise what is the point of the promotion scheme, he could have his first difficult game when he is already a level 4 and that doesn't benefit anyone.

Age is irrelevant. I've worked with a referee this season that has just turned 18 and he is outstanding, we had a mass confrontation break out in the last game and he dealt with it admirably. I know referees in their 40s and 50s, and I might even include myself in that, that would have dealt with it far less effectively.
 
Maybe, possibly, perchance you are all overthinking this. The person who appointed the game perhaps didn't think of difficult game or weak/young referee. Level of the game within the ranking of referee, appointed and done... who's doing the next game.
 
one said:
Maybe, possibly, perchance you are all overthinking this. The person who appointed the game perhaps didn't think of difficult game or weak/young referee. Level of the game within the ranking of referee, appointed and done... who's doing the next game.
Click to expand...
Maybe so. If it was a run or the mill league game I'd perhaps agree but it's county cup which usually does have some thought out into it.
 
Anyone can apply for promotion though, doesn’t mean you are any good.

For example - In our county there are a group of young referees in the ‘core’ group that are destined for going through the ladders as quickly as possible. Fair play to them but some of them are not ready and maybe never will be!
 
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