New Assessors Day
The recent new asssessors day held at Bridgwater Town FC was attended by 10 new colleagues. The full day included open discussion on expectations of level 7 & 6 referees op[erating at grass roots. Included in the morning session and highlighted were up to date refereeing techniques which were clearly understood by the group. The afternoon session involved a live local match which was officiated to a high standard by Taunton based level 7 referee Ben Timpson. After the match the group were split in two and offered feedback on their observations, the final part of the new assessors role is to complete an individual assessment report on the performance of the referee.
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Level 7 / 6 Referees Promotion Seminar
Planned sessions have been arranged in the north and south of the county for those referees looking to progress up the promotion ladder. Each session will include a 30 minute exam followed by a seminar presented by Ian Harley / Phill Willis who will include two topics based on knowldege and best practices which will assist candidates towards their application for promotion. First session is at Centurion Hotel Radstock 12/10/2009 and the second will be at Bridgwater Sports & Social Club Bridgwater on 19/10/2009 both starting at 7.00pm.
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Level 4 Study Evening
Second meeting of the season for SFA level 4 referees is arranged for Thursday October 29 at the Centurion Hotel Radstock starting at 7.15pm. Confirmed key note speakers are Phil Prosser an FA Level 3 referees coach and Craig Cox a highly experienced national intructor and football league assessor. An additional invitation to attend the evening was sent to those referees who have indicated an interest to progressing to level 4 status. Our assessors have also been invited to attend so that they will gain knowledge of the modern skills being highlighted to these referees as good practice and in return we hope the assessors will recognise the promoted skills through their reports.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Fitness Assessment
A fitness assessment has been organised for those colleagues hoping to be nominated to the FA for level 4 status. The venue is at Castle School Wellington Road Taunton on Sunday November 1st at 11am. This is an assessment and not a fail or pass situation but is strongly recomended by the FA and CFA. It is aimed to highlight the minimum fitness levels expected of match officials and will act as gauge to the individual of the demands and expectations required. To be nominated part of the criteria is a match official must sucessfully complete a fitness test arranged for March 2010 prior to nomination in April. The test involves continuous running for 12 minutes covering a minimum distance of 2500mtrs plus 2 x 50mtr sprints with each must be completed in under 7.5secs.
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SFA Referees Academy
The SFA have added two referees academy coordinators to their development team and the work of John Major and Steve Forrerster began just over 6 weeks ago. The academy is specifically aimed at young aspiring referees between 16-24yrs old. We currrently have approximately 20 members but have places available for double this number. Supporting youth football the academy has agreed to appoint match officials for the home fixtures of Ashton FC and Street u18's in the Somerset Youth Floodlite League this seaason. Any young ambitious referee is welcome to contact Richard Melinn, John Major or Steve Forrester for more information. The academy meet the last Monday of the month in Bridgwater and have a fitness session followed by practical thoery training.