The Development Group in 2009/10
A joint venture between Surrey County FA and the Referee’s Association led to the birth of the Surrey Development Group in January 2003. Its founders were Vic Skilton and David Crick before Lee Cable took over the co-ordination of the group. These dedicated ‘professionals’ achieved great success and facilitated the progress of referees of the calibre of Football League referees Steven Cook and Darren Sheldrake and Assistants Charles Breakspear and Carl Berry. Since the inaugural meeting in January 2003, every group member has achieved development in their performance.
FA Tutor, Licensed Instructor and Contributory League assessor David Hutchinson has now taken over co-ordination of the group, and aims to continue its success.
“The aim of the Development Group is to encourage and motivate an invited group of referees from within Surrey with the potential to reach the higher levels of refereeing. Not only do we want to produce better referees but we also want them to be decent people as well” says David.
The Development Group consists of Level 4, 5, 6 & 7 referees identified by Surrey County FA, aged 30 or below, who referee on Saturdays and midweek. They must have the aspirations to obtain promotion to higher levels. Potential candidates are interviewed. Such is the success of the group that many of the Level 3 referees – who have ‘moved upwards’ and have FA coaches – still attend group meetings. “We encourage the Level 3’s to continue to attend meetings as they have huge amounts of current experience to offer their peers”.
After recent interviews, 6 new members were invited to join the group. They will join the existing 10 members making a group of 16. Of that group, 12 are Level 4 referees operating on Supply Leagues and lining on the Contributory Leagues. It is likely that more additions will be made to the group later in the season. Each member is allocated a senior mentor/coach to help them progress to higher levels.
The conduct of the referee members is closely scrutinised. Referees who are selected for membership of the Development Group are expected to
· be a member of the Referee’s Association
· show commitment to the group by attending the Development Group events
· communicate regularly and efficiently with their coach/mentor and the Development Group Co-ordinator
· manage administration effectively and answer correspondence quickly
· keep Referee's Secretaries (League, FA and County FA) informed of their open and closed dates
· conduct themselves in a professional manner on and off the field (eg. dress, attitude, good manners, restraint)
· stay fit and healthy by living an appropriate lifestyle
· set goals and monitor their performance using self evaluation
· maintain the highest levels of commitment to achieve their goals
Since the group was started, 31 members have resigned or left the group as they were unable to meet the criteria shown above.
Five Development Group meetings are planned for the season, dates below, as well as visits to matches to watch and evaluate the performances of other officials.
Steve Bennett was the guest at the first meeting held on 6 August. His task was to help the group to know when to administer the first caution, to get right the balance between management and administering sanctions and advice on the need to be consistent.
Further meeting dates are
Thursday 11 March 2010
Thursday 20 May 2010
More information is available from the RDO, Tim Lawrence
Tim.Lawrence@surreyfa.com
The group comprises of:
Daniel Machnik
Daniel Robathan
Nick Brown
William Davis
Gavin Collins
Michael Webb
Shaun Farrer
Daniel Dodd
Andrew Roberts
Corin Readett
Chris North
Marcus Carmichael
Ryan O`Sullivan
Jon Creswick
Tom Ellams
Not in the photograh are Gavin, Marcus and Michael.