The raw data reveals that there were initially 167 registered match officials this season, which is well in excess of any past season, however, like most data, the devil is in the detail.
A significant issue is that there is an insufficient number and depth of match officials to appropriately support football activity in the region, with no club or location having the number or depth required to guarantee that every competition fixture will have match officials appointed. Even though we have been able to manage appointments over many years with fewer match officials, this is predicted to be unsustainable.
Feedback that deflects the responsibility to source match officials at the feet of FFNC, needs some correctness, including the false perception that match officials are employees of FFNC (they are NOT). Regardless, our primary objective is to create more constructive mechanisms to establish a pool of match officials who are adequately accredited, suitably competent and who are reasonably able to accept appointments.
Whilst a ‘Call to Arms’ to recruit more match officials regretfully fails to resonate effectively, the messaging must continue. Well done to the people who stepped up in 2024 and to various club delegates who are trying champion this cause. It is however necessary for us to collectively consider how we can achieve more effective outcomes. A primary action that any individual (especially adults), can take now, is to register to become an accredited match official. The link shown below will hopefully trigger many adults across the 24 clubs, to step up and become an accredited match official in advance of next season, by registering to complete the online modules, with the next practical course component being at Ballina on Saturday 23rd November.
Click here to find the steps to Become a Referee in 2025
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