NRCFA REFEREE'S MENTOR SCHEME.
It can be a tall order, keeping control of 22 players and substitutes plus club officials, not to mention spectators, parents and other people present who simply add more pressure to what is already a difficult job.
Refereeing is a lonely experience at times!
The NRCFA accepts that there is nothing wrong with a referee turning to somebody else for support, help and guidance. In fact this is normal and sensible!
Mentors may be given different titles such as "Coaches" or "Friends" but their role is similar in almost all cases. It is to provide the help, support and guidance required on a one to one basis.
Most mentoring takes place on an informal basis when fellow referees are happy to share information, ideas and advice. This happens all the time at Referee Association meetings, grounds where there may be more than one pitch or indeed on the telephone or by e-mail!
The NRCFA recognise there is a need for a far more structured scheme, especially for new referees and for officials looking to progress to higher levels of the game. The NRCFA is committed to ensuring that all referees have access to a mentor at all stages of their refereeing career.
Who can have a mentor?
Absolutely anybody! Nobody knows all there is to know. It could be argued that every referee should have a mentor. There is nothing wrong with somebody having a mentor and being a mentor at the same time. It is simply a question of people with more experience assisting people with less experience.
People progressing to the more senior levels of the game are often "Taken under the wing" of someone who is officiating at a higher rung on the refereeing ladder. Newly qualified referees should find the mentoring scheme of benefit and even referees at the highest level have a mentor or coach to provide assistance and guidance in their career.
What is involved being a mentor?
Mentors have to attend a one night training session in order to be accredited by the F.A. Mentors are asked to watch the people whom they are allocated as they referee from time to time.
The key points to make whenever you watch a referee as a mentor is to say "Well done"
Ask them how they felt about the game.
Congratulate the referee on the three strongest features of their game, encouraging them to maintain them strengths.
Discuss possible solutions to the weakest feature of the referee's game.
Three strengths and just one weakness? YES, it's all about encouragement!
The mentor relationship.
This should be ongoing and not limited to the mentor occasionally watching the person being assisted. The person being guided should also watch the mentor officiate from time to time, discussing the game possibly at half time and certainly after the match has ended. Both persons should go to a game together, whether professional or local level again discussing the performance of the officials.
Mentors being available
Mentors should always make time to be available for advice and guidance and this could be done by way of a telephone conversation on a pre arranged evening or by meeting up from time to time, perhaps even at the local referee's association. A small amount of paperwork needs to be completed by the mentor - periodic feedback forms have to be submitted to the co-ordinator of the scheme so that they can keep an overview of its operation and that any training needs can be drawn to the attention of the organiser of the scheme.
What does it take to be a mentor?
The key characteristics of a good mentor are friendliness, approachability and patience. Whilst experience as a referee is helpful it may not by necessary for this to be particularly lengthy. In many ways someone who qualified only a couple of years ago may be an ideal mentor for someone who is newly qualified, as the issues that challenge a new referee will still be fresh in the mind of the mentor. Even if the mentor doesn't know the answer to every particular question, he or she will know where to find the answer. Guidance can always of course be sort from the Co-ordinator of the scheme.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor for a NRCFA referee then contact Ross Joyce on (01642) 717778 and we will put you in touch with the nearest Mentor co-ordinator.
NRCFA REFEREE ACADEMIES
The North Riding County F.A. currently has three Referee's Academies based in Middlesbrough, York and Scarborough. The scheme has been running for three years now and many of the first intake are now officiating at a level the would never of dreamt of when they set out on the first steps of the refereeing ladder.
The purpose of these academies is to increase the standard and enjoyment of refereeing by means of group training and learning through controlled teaching and assessment methods and the aims of the academies are to ensure that not only do referees develop skills in order to fulfil their maximum potential but to ensure referee's enjoy their participation in the game ensuring their retention to the sport for hopefully many years to come.
How do you qualify?
You don't! The academies don't have pre requisite qualification requirements and are open to anyone who wishes to learn more about this side of the game and has an active interest in wanting to be a better referee and hopefully moving up the promotion ladder. Testing their abilities at the highest possible level their skills will allow them to. There are no age limits for the academies either. They are simply open to anyone who wants to learn progress.
If you are interested in joining one of our refereeing academies then contact Ross Joyce, Referees Development Officer, on (01642) 717778 and we will put you in touch with the nearest Academy co-ordinator.