Annual Report
The ‘seamless game’ seems to have evolved ‘seamless seasons’! As this year of rugby draws to a close, with games still being played in June and one of our members still on active duty in South Africa and presentations still being made regarding the introduction of ELV’s, there will hardly be any time before we are in to pre-season training and preparing for the 2008/09 season.
This year however, has seen the continuing development of our referees and I pay thanks to the Officers of the Society and North Federation who have done much to help individual members realise their ambitions and potential, as well as ensuring that the role the Society plays within the Northumberland Constituent body continues to be one of partnership and active involvement. Throughout the County Senior team’s successful Shield Championship run, the Society provided match officials and technical equipment that I hope played a part in the run-up to that winning day at Twickenham. Our congratulations to the County team and also to Tynedale, Ashington and Team Northumbria in relation to their respective promotions.
On an officiating front, a mid-season flurry of red card dismissals of players seemed to indicate that players at all levels were over-stepping the tolerance levels of referees. However, it did remain a mid-season phenomena and due thanks go to referees in providing the message that not only were matches played within the boundaries of the Laws but also within the spirit of the Game.
In terms of weekend appointments, we have covered just under 800 games. As the Society’s Appointment Secretary points out, it has been a difficult season, with there being some weekends where we have been unable to appoint to matches. The clubs that heeded past warnings and ensured they had some trained ‘club referees’ reaped the benefits of such and we would encourage all clubs to have such personnel ‘on their books’. We also owe thanks to the Durham Society who helped us out on a number occasions by providing referees. There is also the welcome developing impact of the Newcastle University Referees’ Society that is providing the Society with a number of young referees, who, having gained experience, should help ease the pressures of fulfilling the fixture lists.
Sunday appointments, especially the Colts League have been problematic and thanks must go to those volunteers who have come forward just as ‘Sunday Referees’ since they have Club responsibilities on a Saturday.
The Northumberland Junior leagues continue their success, though the chopping and changing of fixtures, as postponed matches were re-arranged towards the end of the season made forward planning a nightmare scenario.
From Martin Page, a huge thank you to all active referees who have officiated this season.
Midweek, the Society received 154 requests for referees and in all cases Society Referees were appointed. Feedback to Dave Barrow, the mid-week Appointments Secretary indicates that the schools and universities in Northumberland reckon the standard of officiating is excellent. The standard of many of the mid-week games is actually higher than on a Saturday and so those referees that are able to turn out on a Wednesday really do get the opportunity to develop their skills.
On the exchange front, the Society’s continued active involvement in the North Federation continues to pay dividends. Through the offices of Peter Howe the exchange system has become more structured with clear calendar dates, with referees, and especially those on the Federation Development Squads, well aware of when and where they need to travel.
Les Gutteridge, as Training Officer has worked hard to re-invigorate what are euphemistically called ‘Junior Training Meetings’. He has coaxed and cajoled referees and advisers to present these meetings as a major training forum and has accommodated the new CPD Programme from the RFU Referees’ Department into these meetings. As we head towards the start of the new season, the utilisation of this CPD Programme will become even more important in helping referees advance through the gradings and thanks to its modular structure, it means that referees can progress at their own pace. I have no doubts as well that physical fitness levels/tests are also something that is on the horizon! The regular monthly meetings have covered a variety of topics but without doubt, the highlight of the year was Dave Pearson’s review of his World Cup experiences and the Society looks forward to further such talks in four years time.
On a social level, the Society has formally come together on three occasions throughout the season. The recent Golf Day will no doubt have been its usual competitive stroll in the countryside. Competitiveness also played a part in the Chinese Night, with the late arrival of Duncan Hutton causing consternation, amongst those already present, about who would have to sit next to the ‘human dustbin’ and keep pace with plate after plate of eastern delicacies. However, the social highlight has to be the Annual Referees’ Dinner and the Wrightson & Wrightson show. This demonstrated that not only has Britain got talent but it is much nearer home, and Northumberland Rugby Union has talent.
As RugyFirst eradicates its glitches, it will become more and more important for Referee Societies in general as well as for clubs. This Society can not avoid this and plans are already underway for members to become fully informed of its impact and more importantly, its use – just something else that brings us back to the point that we seem to have ‘seamless seasons’!
Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all those who have been involved in the activities of the Society. It would not be fair to name all individuals but I am going to make one exception. Geoff Parkinson steps down as our President and on behalf of the Society I would like to thank him for his leadership over the past few years. Geoff has always been ready to listen to all those in the Society and his careful consideration and deliberation have meant that the Society has maintained its high profile within the County. I would also like to thank one non-Society individual, Claire Sharpe. As always she provides a conduit for all sorts of contacts and has worked most efficiently on the behalf of the Society.
Malcolm Jarvie
Hon. Secretary
June 2008
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