We can now take payments for York RA Membership (2013/14) using Paypal as well as Google Checkout – at no extra cost.
To join the RA for the coming season, and make payment online, please visit the Join the RA page. You can also sign up at any of our monthly meetings and make payment by cash or cheque.
The Referees’ Association 2013 Conference will be held on 5 and 6 July 2013 at the Hinckley Island Hotel.
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Honouring the Past, Building the Future’.
The RA Conference is FREE to attend for all full RA members although there are limited places available so tickets and workshops must be booked in advance. Find out more at the April branch meeting, or download the booking form using the links below.
Whether you intend to come for the Saturday only, or will be attending the whole weekend, there will be other York RA members – and plenty of other referees (including the Premier League officials!) – to socialise with.
There are a range of workshops to choose from, and this year’s topics are:
We hope there will be something for everybody to learn from!
As you will see from the booking form there are a number of options available for lunch at the hotel you are free to choose from. However, most York RA members traditionally head to a local pub for lunch on the day, so you may wish to consider joining us for this instead.
For more information, and the full booking form, please download the Conference 2013 Booking Form and return it to RA Head Office. It would be great if you can let the branch know you’re attending in advance, so travel arrangements can be shared or people can meet up on the weekend.
Previous attendees will also be more than happy to answer any questions at the April meeting.
The Referees’ Association Shop are holding a sale of pre-badged shirts – £20 for Premium and £15 for Economy.
For more information please see the flyer: RA Shop March 2013
Many referees and partners plus other guests attended the event at St Clements WMC on Friday 15 March 2013. This was the third annual event to commemorate referee Lol Cussons.
Live entertainment, plenty of food and the obligatory bingo….a good evening. Dave Cussons hosted the event and also presented York RA with a cheque for £200.
The presentation of the Lol Cussons Award was made to Graham Bradbury.
Here, have a polo mint
With approx 60 members and guests present.
The chairman welcomed all to the meeting, the best attended for many years. Mentioning that Don
Thorpe was in hospital after a fall.
Apologies were received from Mssrs; Bayley, G Ellwood, Butler, B Ballantyne, Thorpe.
Minutes of last meeting were read with no matters arising.
Correspondence from Head Office and Football Mundial was read.
Membership stood at 65 for the year. Subs will be due after 31 March. £22 now and increasing to£25 in October. £11 for junior members. An added incentive is an included benefit of free legal aid insurance through the RA (worth £30-50 on your policy) this covers pleasure/ business and refereeing. Subs will be able to be paid online shortly through the web site.
Details were given regarding; York RA web site, RA draw tickets, dinner, Lol Cussons evening, FA Cup final ticket draw. Names to secretary re seating for dinner and cup final ticket draw. An appeal for a ref for a Nestle 5-a-side.
Social Club, subs were due, still some outstanding and club are hoping that more of our members
will join.
Problem Corner, discussion on when a defender intends a pass back to the ‘keeper, makes a mess of it and ‘keeper is forced to make a save, decision..is the pass deliberate!.The decision is yours to make.
The evening’s guest was in attendance, Howard Webb, needing no introduction. He held us all
enraptured for 2 hours covering a multitude of topics including his career, incidents from UEFA
matches, the importance of teamwork, people he has met throughout his career. A big believer in
youth saying that there could be a future world cup official sitting listening tonight. He spoke with a
lot of passion. He answered questions then signed numerous autographs and poses for photos .
There being no more business meeting closed at 10.10.
Ian Hotchkies
Secretary
Following a recent meeting on the North Riding County FA Referees’ Committee, we are pleased to confirm that the following York RA members have been promoted for season 2013/2014.
Well done to all involved!
Glynn Ellwood
Elliot Shiers
Brandon Bishop
Jonny Ham
Sam Bayley
Congratulations to Jan Suchecki and Jonny Ham (Referees), Ben Ballantyne, Matthew Cottingham, Glynn Ellwood, Brandon Bishop, Sam Bayley, James Hewitt and Elliott Shiers (Assistant Referees); they have all been appointed to NRCFA Cup Finals (52 appointments in total across 15 finals).
Welcome to the latest edition of the email newsletter for York City & District Referees’ Association.
The next meeting is on Thursday 4 April2013, at York Health Service Club, Haxby Road, York.
The contents this month are as follows:
REFormation – Professor Howard Webb
Meetings – York RA 4 April 2013 (Barry Sygmuta)
RA Matters – Lol Cussons event on 15 March 2013
International Issues – 11 match ban
| Top Premier League referees receive University of Gloucestershire qualifications Howard Webb donned his mortar board and gown and joined seven of his select group refereeing colleagues at the Park Campus in Cheltenham yesterday. They were there to be awarded with Postgraduate Certificate in Personal and Professional Development after completing a year’s study at the university. For the past two years, Professional Game Match Officials Limited joined forces with the university to provide a course to help develop the best referees in the country. On 14 January 2013 Howard was joined by other top officials Stuart Attwell, Kevin Friend, Mike Jones, Andre Marriner, Jonathan Moss, Neil Swarbrick and Anthony Taylor, at a ceremony to receive their certificates. For Howard, a referee who officiated at the 2010 Champions League and World Cup final, it was a chance to reflect on a job well done. “This qualification through the University of Gloucestershire and our employers is aimed to look at our futures, beyond refereeing,” he said. “What it does as far as I am concerned is it looks at accrediting all the years of expertise that we’ve built up during our years as match officials. “It gives us the opportunity to go forward into careers post-refereeing with a view to showing a future employer what we’ve learned on and off the field of play. “And it’s been great to have the support of the University of Gloucestershire and our employers in giving us this chance.” Howard was an active and serving sargeant with South Yorkshire Police before taking a five-year sabbatical to commit to full-time refereeing. And while he is still pondering whether to go back into policing once his career at the top in football is over, he says that the course has broadened his outlook. At the age of 41, he still has five years on the Fifa international list and as many as ten in the Premier League. Not that it stops him from looking at a career beyond football. “You do have to make sacrifices to be able to perform at the highest level in the Premier League and internationally and professionally speaking it’s the best years of your life,” he said. “Because of that, for me it was a really good opportunity for me to invest in my future and I will further invest both this year and next as well to Masters level and utilise it beyond my refereeing career. “I am keeping my options open. The five-year sabbatical I am on with South Yorkshire Police comes to an end in April and I will look to go back and work with them on a part-time basis from then. If I can be of use as an individual and as a police officer because of what I have done as a referee then that could only be a good thing. I am also hopeful of doing something within the sport of football. “It’s a game I love and I have built up a large range of contacts within the game both domestically and internationally, and I wouldn’t rule out a role in an other sport in an administrative role. “There are lots of doors ajar currently, hopefully this course and the university have helped me to decide which door to go through when my active football career comes to an end.” St George’s Park Premier League Competition Congratulations to Jonny Ham, Brandon Bishop and Glynn Ellwood who are to represent the NRCFA at this competition on 26-28 April 2013 held at The FA complex near Burton-upon-Trent. GLT FIFA update Two GLT systems have been licensed for worldwide use by FIFA, football’s world governing body. The approval means that Hawkeye and GoalRef can now provide their products to leagues and competitions. “This milestone means that the companies now have authorisation to install their technology systems worldwide” said a FIFA spokesman. GLT is due to be used for the first time in December at the FIFA Club World Cup. But both systems will still need to pass one final hurdle before they can be used in that competition, where Champions League winners Chelsea have been given a bye to the semi-finals. “Once a system has been installed in a stadium, the system undergoes a final inspection to check its functionality” said the spokesman for FIFA. “This is carried out by an independent test institute, and the results of this so-called ‘final installation test’ must be successful. “Only a positive final installation test qualifies a system to be used in official matches.” GLT was adopted into football’s rule-book in July this year by the game’s law-makers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The FA and the Premier League are keen to use the technology as soon as possible. Alex Horne, the FA’s general secretary, raised the possibility of the Premier League introducing goal-line technology as early as January 2013 following IFAB’s decision over the summer. However, a delay in the licensing process and the length of time needed to install and then gain final approval for all 20 Premier League stadiums has resulted, BBC Sport understands, in implementation now being targeted towards the start of the 2013-14 season. GoalRef and Hawkeye are currently installing their systems in Yokohama and Toyota City in Japan ahead of the Club World Cup which starts in early December. How does Hawk-Eye work? Hawk-Eye’s system works by using six cameras, focusing on each goal, to track the ball on the pitch. The system’s software then uses “triangulation” to pinpoint the exact location of the ball. If it crosses the goal-line an encrypted radio signal is sent to the referee’s wristwatch to indicate a goal has been scored. In line with FIFA’s requirements, the whole process takes less than a second to complete. How does GoalRef work? GoalRef uses a microchip implanted in the ball and the use of low magnetic waves around the goal. The system then detects any change in the magnetic field on or behind the goal-line to determine if a goal has been scored. The process takes less than one second, with the result electronically relayed to the referee. FA Referees’ Courses The format has changed and a Practical Referees’ Course was held at York College in September 2012. Ths was a great success with 11 newly qualified referees. The practical format is over 5 modules – but mentored games are still required. The exams have also changed for the better. The first workshop is an introductory session, following work the candidate has done with pre-study pack information (effectvely learning the basic laws prior to the course) After the course (with emphasis on practical refereeing and application of the laws) the candidate becomes a level 9 referee and has to complete a minimum of 6 11-a-side games They then return for a newly qualified referee’s workshop. Once this has been attended then they become a qualified referee (level 7/8). The lastcourse at York was in February 2013 at York College – Mod 1 (6 Feb), Course (10 & 17 Feb.) and Safeguarding Children (13 Feb.) – all 19 passed and became new Level 9 referees. “RESPECT” Campaign The aims are four-fold. Firstly we want more people involved in the game – players, coaches, spectators, administrators and, critically, referees. Secondly we want better coaches, more skilful players, especially children. Thirdly we want to make it easier to organise the game locally. And fourthly we want to raise standards of behaviour and address abusive behaviour. And as a parent and lover of the game this goal is especially close to my heart. The York Leeper Hare (now Minster Engineering) League is one of 40 Leagues pioneering he FA Charter Standard Programme for 2008-09 season. This will include the “Respect” initiative. This started on 3 January 2009. North Riding Womens FL has also recently joined the scheme. |
RA Matters
Lol Cusson Presentation EveningThis was held at St Clements WMC on Friday 15 March 2013. This included live entertainment and food.hosted by the Cussons family. The annual award was made to Graham Bradbury.
York RA Membership Membership for 2012-2013 (£22 / £11 for under 18 / £15 for over 75)…..is due from 1 April….Membership is currently 65. This is down on last season at this time. Remember you are not covered for insurance if you are not a paid up member.
New Referees Another practical course is to be held in York in Aug/Sept 2013. Contact NRCFA if you are interested in doing a course in the future (01642 717778).
| 11 Match Ban Galatasaray winger Engin Baytar has been banned for 11 matches for pushing a referee during their Super Cup win over Fenerbahce. The midfielder, who has made three international appearances for Turkey, was sent from the field for shoving Euro 2012 referee Cuneyt Cakir after his decision to award a controversial equaliser to Fenerbahce in the 65th minute of the match. Brazil W Cup Refs Mark Clattenburg and Howard Webb are among a group of 52 referees from around the globe in line for a place at 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Joining the pair of the full 156-strong open list of prospective referees and assistant referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup are Stephen Child, Simon Beck, Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann. Sheffield Rules A handwritten pamphlet from 1858 on the rules of club football is to be put up for sale by Sheffield FC the world’s oldest football club, formed in 1857. The document is believed to be one of the earliest instructions on the sport, and will be auctioned as part of an archive belonging to the club and is expected to fetch up to £1.2m when auctioned in July. The archive is being taken to Paris, New York and Doha before auction. “It reflects the fact that football is now truly a global game,” said Gabriel Heaton, senior specialist in Sotheby’s books department. ‘No hacking or tripping’ The pamphlet introduces laws of the game that still exist, such as the indirect free kick, the corner kick and the use of a crossbar. Another rule states: “Pushing with the hands is allowed but no hacking or tripping is fair under any circumstances whatsoever.” Dr Heaton said although the game was already being played in private schools and Cambridge university, under a variety of different rules, the Sheffield document introduced innovations and removed the game from the elite educational establishment for the first time. Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims said the decision to sell the archive was a “tough” one, but had been taken to secure the club’s future, the FT reported. Mr Tims said the decision to sell the archive was sparked by the sale at Sotheby’s New York last December of an 1891 document spelling out the rules of basketball for $4.3m, more than double its pre-sale estimate. “If you are looking for a piece of footballing history, this is the ultimate prize,” he said. Postscript: The world’s oldest football rulebook, belonging to the first ever club Sheffield FC, has been sold at auction for £881,250. The handwritten pamphlet from 1857 is thought to be one of the earliest instructions on the sport and was sold as part of an archive of the club. It was sold to an anonymous bidder at auctioneer Sotheby’s which described it as an important historical document. Sheffield FC auctioned off the rulebook to raise money for the club. The pamphlet introduces laws of the game that still exist, such as the indirect free kick, the corner kick and the use of a crossbar. Another rule states: “Pushing with the hands is allowed but no hacking or tripping is fair under any circumstances whatsoever.” FIFA 2012 List (England) The full 2012 list is as follows – new additions Michael Oliver, Sarah Garratt and Jane Sims : Referees: Martin Atkinson, Stuart Attwell, Mark Clattenburg, Mike Dean, André Marriner, Michael Oliver, Lee Probert, Howard Webb, Sarah Garratt, Sasa Ihringova, Amy Fearn plus Marc Birkett and Gavind Sartain (Futsal). Assistant Referees: Simon Beck, Stuart Burt, Darren Cann, Steven Child, Jake Collin, Peter Kirkup, Simon Long, Dave Richardson, Mike Mullarkey, Adam Watts, Jane Sims, Natalie Aspinall, Lisa Rachid and Sian Massey. |
We are delighted to announce that World Cup Final referee Howard Webb has confirmed he will be attending our meeting on 7 March 2013.
One of the world’s leading referees, Howard is an engaging speaker and it is sure to be an enjoyable evening.
Meetings are held at the York Hospital Social Club on the first Thursday of each month, beginning at 7:30, and are free for all members to attend.
Minutes of meeting held on 7th Feb at The NHS Sports and Social Club
With 29 members and guests present
A minute’s silence was observed for Bryan Shearer a referees friend and member of York & District League, York FA and former player who passed away.
G Bradbury recounted a humorous episode of a disciplinary meeting Bryan sat on that Graham was involved in.
Apologies were recieved from Mssrs; P Ballantyne,G Hartley;Simpson; Sucheki; Thorpe; Butler; M Smith, P Hartley who arrived later.
Minutes of the last meeting; were read and accepted. No matters arising.
Correspondence; regarding Tony Kennedy was read.
Pig Racing Evening; Report was given regarding a very enjoyable and profitable evening. Thanks were given to all who were involved.
Details were given; of the annual dinner 6th April and Lol Cussons evening 15th March.
Subs for season 13/14, were set at £25, if paid before end of Sept this will be reduced to £22. Subs were also due for the Social Club.
Membership; now stood at 65.
FA Cup Final Tickets; an allocation had been applied for. Names in writing to secretary.
Brendan Bishop; gave details of a tournament in May/June, appealing for refs.
Problem Spot, there was discussion on the habit of goalkeepers and refs in televised matches with same colour shirts. Also players wearing gloves of different colours, considering the recommendation involving undershirts/shorts, tape and ankle supports.
Due to late backword, from the evenings guest, Dave King arranged a quick group quiz of match situations/incidents. Thanks were given to Dave at the end
There being no more business the meeting closed at 9.35
I Hotchkies
Secretary