Greetings and thanks for a great start to the season. I want to discuss something so you hear it from me first and not some out of sorts rumor. Last weekend, we had a referee go above and beyond to make sure a match could happen. He had the home team adjust field setup to make it more safe and also ensured their paperwork was complete. Excellent work Tim O’Gara !!!
This particular match is under protest, NOT for anything Tim did/didn’t do but because one team had a player not CIPP’d and this is where I want to be clear on our duties as referees. It is NOT our duty to make sure every player who steps on the pitch is CIPP’d. Your responsibility is to know a players name when you issue a card. You can look up their CIPP later. A good rule of thumb is when you are about to issue a card, ask the player his/her name then pull the card out.
A few other reminders:
- If the pitch is not setup according to TRU standards, it is YOUR call on whether the match happens. I recommend getting the two coaches together and see if solutions can be made and if not do both coaches agree to current conditions to play. Make sure you describe everything in your post match report.
- If the weather creates unsafe conditions (lightning, deep standing water where players could drown if face is shoved into it) we want you to delay the start and even cancel the match if necessary.
- If you are not contacted by home team by end of day Wednesday, please notify Wendy or Scott. DO NOT GO TO MATCH until contacted by home team. If bad weather is rolling in, Call the home team and try to get a game start decision before you get on the road.
Finally, if at any time you are unsure of what to do, you can call any member of our staff (Me, Scott, Wendy or Randy) Our numbers are on “Who’s the ref”. Please do not hesitate to call. We are here to support you throughout the season.
Cheers, Butch