As we grapple with ideas and strategies in our efforts to recruit more match officials, EVERY reasonable effort is being made to explore things that can be done to improve the dire situation that exists.
Although ALL regions are facing the same obstacles that create a huge reluctance for people to “take up a whistle”, we are committed to supporting positive change.
One of the most common issues identified within community football is the ABUSE and LACK of RESPECT towards match officials. Regretfully, too many people assume that “all” match officials are experienced and confident. This is simply not the case and we are therefore introducing “The Green Shirt Initiative”.
This is a program is being adopted by Football Far North Coast to actively highlight the need to support, respect and to show empathy to ALL match officials, but particularly to NEW match officials, noting that MOST (but not all) will be young people. Anyone who completes the initial step that is called “a level 4 course” and has not previously officiated in football will this year wear a green match official’s shirt initially.
The program aims to change behaviour towards new referees/match officials and create a culture amongst players and team officials as well as spectators and parents to treat match officials with courtesy and respect. We should value the role that match officials have in our game and accept that they ARE doing their best (even when some believe that dud decisions are made?)
We continue to plead with people to step up and become a match official. Our words are however failing to resonate with enough people and with almost 100 less match officials registered so far in 2018 (with nearly 150 needed), things are looking VERY grim for the season ahead. The NEXT referee course scheduled at Bangalow for Sunday 25th March currently has ZERO registrations!!
For more information and to register for our next level 4 new referee course, click here.
