By COYSDC
September 11 2002

As we discuss yet again the falling standard of refereeing in the country this season we ask if it is about time that the men with the whistle were given a little more support and assistance to improve matters both on and off the field. TIME FOR PROFESSIONAL REFEREEING TEAMS?

Theres no doubt in my mind, and clearly by reading the comments of other rugby supporters around the sites many others of you feel the same, that the standard of refereeing, and indeed touch judging, has taken a turn for the worse yet again this season.

There is no clear reason for this downturn in standards. People do not become bad overnight.
But on the face of it this is exactly what has happened.

This season yet again we have seen some of our top referees berated for having absolute nightmares while new referees coming onto the circuit clearly do not have the experience to manage a top class game.
The link between a referee and his touch judges seems to be diminishing weekly and the game as a whole is suffering.

But what can the powers that be do about this problem?

Well COYSDC in their infinite wisdom has come up with a possible answer to the games ills.

What we suggest is that the RFU, or whoever thinks they are running the game this week, think about forming refereeing teams to officiate at games.

These teams would consist of five members.

One senior referee, for example the Tony Spreadburys and Brian Campsalls of the game.
Two up and coming referees.
One experienced retired referee for example the Fred Howards and Ed Morrisons of the game.
One 'apprentice' referee.

This team would be kept together as a unit for the season, or beyond, and would work in the following manner.

All first class games would be refereed by the senior referee with the two up and coming referees learning their trade while acting as touch judges.

For games of a lesser standard, the two up and coming referees would take it in turn to referee under the tutelage of the senior referee running the vacant line.

However at all times the touch judges would be encouraged to take a more pro-active part in the game by being wired up at all times to the senior referee and immediately report any wrongdoings via their mikes. The man holding the whistle would as now, however have the final say.

The off the field team of retired referee and apprentice would work in the following manner.

The retired referee would be responsible for any possible citings for foul etc that were not initially picked up by the onfield team. This would take the onus off teams having to cite the opposition and the usual tit for tat citings that follow.

Teams would be able to make representations at a referees debriefing after the game but these meetings would be held in private until any decisions of action, or non-action, were made.

During the game the retired referee would be linked by mike to all three onfield members of the team for possible advice etc.

Full use would be made of all available technology to improve the standard of refereeing.

But the onus on all the refereeing team would be to keep the game flowing not some of the stop-start rubbish we have seen this season from referees who think we pay our hard earned cash just to see them in action.

The retired referee would also, in future, be required to act as the video referee should this be adopted in the top flight of the domestic game.
He would also have to assess the standards of the other members of the refereeing team and report to a central refereeing panel.

Club coaches would also be required to assess the working of the team as a whole.

The apprentice would learn the game and its laws at the side of the retired referee and would on occasion run the line, when deemed of a certain standard, should other members of the team be unavailable.

He would also assist any other member of the team as and when needed but the main aim is for this person to be groomed as a possible top class referee of the future, learning from experienced people above him..

When the senior referee retires one of the up and coming referees, if he is capable, moves into his place while the apprentice moves into the vacant onfield position.

A new apprentice is then appointed to the team.

At season end the central refereeing panel would assess the reports made and make changes where necessary to any teams that failed standards.

Up and coming referees that prove their worth could be moved to replace failing senior referees in other teams.

But overall if a team is performing well it should be allowed to continue into the next year. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

At the end of the day to start with only six of these teams need to be set up.
That's thirty people.

Surely with some players now earning hundred of thousands the money can be found to set up a project of this kind.

Okay some of you may say this is bureaucracy gone mad, but lets not forget that its usually the man with the whistle that either makes or breaks a game.

The higher the standard of referee usually the higher standard of game.

We as the paying public are the ones who will reap the benefit along with the game itself, in seeing a better product week in week out.

You know it makes sense!