DIRECTOR OF REFEREES’ REPORT

Mr. John McCormack

It is with pleasure that I submit my first report to members as Director of Referees for season 2005. It has been an extremely challenging and rewarding year as Kim Archer, Bob Garwood and I looked at ways of improving the on-field performance of refereeing in our district along with evaluating and appraising the week to week performances to ensure we had the best referees in each grade.

At the beginning of the season I stated that our aim was to assess the performance of referees and place them in the appropriate grade relative to their skills and the skills and performances of other referees. At the same time we recognized that referees are at different stages in their careers and will have varying aspirations. Some members have aspirations to be graded, some are only new to refereeing and require guidance whereas other members are happy to run Saturday football and compete at the junior football level. By implementing a few different strategies this season I feel we have been successful in meeting our goals. We still have a long way to go, but I feel we have addressed the issues with fairness and integrity.

The 2005 season saw a new structure in assessing referee performances. The Appointment Board system was replaced by a two tier structure. The top tier consisted of a 3 person Appointment Board who would meet each week and review referee performances and make appointments for the following week. The group included Kim Archer, Bob Garwood and me. The second tier was the Advisory Board. These people would watch referees each week, provide feedback to the referee and report back to the Appointment Board.

For many years we have used the system of appointment of referees to Grand Finals whereby the loser of the semi finals series in a grade would invariably not referee a grand final and be appointed as a touch judge. This season saw the change (in line with other Associations who have used it for a number of years) to the cascading appointment of referees. All things being equal, the ‘loser’ of the semi finals series in a grade would move down to the next lowest grade. For example, if referee ranked 3 beat referee ranked 4, then referee 4 would referee the 4th highest grade grand final. This meant that the top referees would referee the top grand finals.

This system pleased the District Club, but there will always be those people who don’t like it. It benefits the top referees and disadvantages the lower ranked referees. When the dust settled and we look back on the season we note that the

majority of referees gained a grand final. It just may not have been at the level they have been used to. Some difficulties in appointment were experienced when we moved down to the grades where there were Reserve competitions. Those competitions finished earlier than the mainstream competitions, hence we had to make assessments as to where some referees would finish and appoint them to grand finals on that basis. The newly elected Board will look at that situation early in 2006.

There are a number of people I would like to thank who helped me settle into the new role. Firstly, my thanks to Kim and Bob who worked very hard throughout the season meeting every Monday night and going to grounds most weekends. I’m also very pleased that we could each speak openly about issues and resolve them in a professional manner. That will be the on-going basis of our success. Also, a special mention of Kim’s continuing management of the Saturday appointments and watching the younger referees most Saturday mornings, her help and dedication is immeasurable.

Also, thanks to the members of the Advisory Board. They were very keen to embrace the new system and concentrate on attending grounds throughout the season and provide valuable feedback. The senior referees were seen in 50-70% of games. This is a significant improvement on previous seasons.

To members of the executive, thank you for your guidance and support throughout the season. Paul Archer was always available to provide sensible advice or be a sounding board to our ideas.

To members of the other sub committees including Richard Daizli, Lionel Brown and David Abood (rules). The interaction between the committees was effective in improving the skills and fitness of our members. David’s undisputed knowledge of the rules is proving an invaluable resource for referees of all levels of experience. Confidence in the knowledge of the rules is what safeguards us from the player, coach or spectator who watches football from the sidelines. It all goes wells for a successful 2006 season.

Thanks also to Paul Tycehurst and the District Club. We developed a close working relationship during the season, which improved communication and minimized issues. The introduction of electronic appointments saved a couple of hours of retyping each week.

A special mention and thanks to those members, too many to name, who are available for last minute changes or to cover other member’s games in a crisis. Also to those more experienced referees who guide and mentor the new members each Saturday. The extra hours spent at this level will improve the referee base in years to come.

Congratulations to all referees and touch judges who officiated in Grand Finals this season. Your hard work and dedication paid off. To Adam Gee, the two-time holder of the Clubb-Johnson award who led from the front and a worthy winner who will, no doubt, represent himself and the association at higher levels within the graded ranks in the years to come. To Greg Fuller, a worthy winner of the FarrellyDick trophy who had his best season yet at the tender age of……. Also, to Robert Dubois and Adam Gee who represented the association with pride in Bathurst this year.

Finally, a special mention and thanks to Susan who does not know much about football (but willing to learn) and has been very understanding when I trudge off most Sundays to watch games from mid morning to dusk.

At the time of reading this report many members will be getting fit and itching to pull on the boots again for the new season. I trust it will be a challenging and rewarding one for everyone in whatever capacity.

JOHN McCORMACK DIRECTOR OF REFEREES