FERMANAGH REFEREE’S SECRETARY

Year End Report 2013

A warm welcome to all and I open my report with sincere thanks for the continued support of the committee and all referee’s who have been active this year as we bring the 2013 season to a formal close.

Congratulations are offered to those clubs who have achieved league and championship success at all levels and to all who have worked hard, in delivery of our competitions this year particularly Noel Davis, as single appointments officer, Greg Kelly and the CCC, for their diligence in managing the fixture programmes. I would also take the opportunity to offer sincere thanks to the stewards and officers of Enniskillen Gaels in particular who have prepared and managed a long season of fixtures on the county ground though that should not deflect from all involved in other clubs.

At this point I will note comments by PD at the recent Convention where he commented on negativity from sub committee’s and would trust this committee have provided a supportive process in 2013.

Similar recognition is extended to all on the referee’s list, who continue to commit time and effort in assisting in the completion of the playing season on time. Your input is invaluable in meeting the long seasons schedule and I am hopeful you will be available again in the coming year.

The committee affirmed their commitment, this time last year, to the continued improvement of refereeing standards which we delivered and it has shown undoubted results, recognised in Ulster. Well done to all.

This year saw improvement in fitness process’s , rules application and report procedures and proposals for 2014 will see those develop further with greater emphasis placed on Recruitment and I give encouragement to all clubs to consider representatives to add to the panel and to you in particular, to advance and improve your own knowledge and understanding, not only on the rules process’s, especially with the Black card introduction but in adding to our profile that continues to grow in Ulster.

Committee and referee Communication has been constant this year, mostly online, leading to less necessity for group meetings but allowing consistent communication throughout the season with a common goal of ensuring referee’s recognise the help and support being provided and that is available throughout the season. Many have availed of that support in the season.

We have not diminished our willingness to continue to work with clubs in improving relationships and as part of our strategy for 2014 I would urge all clubs to give more consideration to the “Respect Process” and not simply pay lip service. I am not sure I totally share the view of CCC that discipline has improved but am ever the optimist.

Respect is a two way thing and referee’s are encouraged to maintain standards throughout the county both on and off the field. The activities on the field in recent months has clearly shown a lack of respect still exists and sadly there has been little change through all codes as Discipline has and continues to be very poor towards officials and I again ask CCC to take note and deal with these players and management without fear or favour. I cant pass this aspect without a swipe at Hearings, who yet again in 2013 have demonstrated a lack of engagement with referee’s and very questionable rulings that leave referee’s questioning why they bother to apply the rules at all. I don’t accept the continued aspect of Not being accountable. Why can we castigate players and supporters venting anger on social media platforms yet allow another group autonomy. That’s not acceptable in todays game.

Our strategy for 2014 will include representation to CCC to establish and emphasise accuracy of our reports process and hopefully stop this pretence.

Occasions have arisen this year where there has been a concentrated fixture list placing demands on an already stretched referee list . I also have noted the odd occasion where games have been fixed between clubs without recourse to the official appointments officer. This simply wont do and I urge some active control and remind all referee’s that any fixture, be it a friendly or a venue change is cleared with the appointments officer first.

Our single appointment source has proved successful this year and I congratulate Noel on his hard work in the successful delivery of a concentrated fixture list.

As I alluded above, Clubs must do more to assist with the recruitment process and more importantly, drive “Respect” among Players and Officials, the current approach and lack of ethic cannot continue and I call on our county chairman and CCC to bring a bolder attitude to dealing with this unacceptable conduct.

Clubs must accept responsibility that they have to contribute to continued recruitment and ensure we retain officials or accept consequences that we may not be able to fulfil all fixtures in 2014. Considerations should be given to reward process’s for club officials – Clubs must guarantee their official an All Ireland ticket and perhaps it is time we considered the county board gave the committee a ticket allocation to reward referee effort each and every season. Incentives are an essential part of any improvement process in any walk of life.

Congratulations to Martin Higgins for his continued appointment at Elite National Level and Ulster Competition in 2014 and recognition also to Niall Cullen as he is confirmed on the National and Ulster Panels and Aiden Ferguson for making vast strides this year and officiating at our own county Hurling final. [ I note also, their appointments in the Mc Kenna Cup Competition ]

The reductions in national list for 2014 will only seek to further improve standards and we in Fermanagh are up to the task.

In 2013 we had 65 appointments outside the County and we have the potential to have as many as 8 representatives in Ulster if those who are recommended meet the challenge or have the ambition to progress.

My apologies if I have not mentioned everyone but your contribution has been noted.

James Lewis has successfully progressed through the Ulster Referee’s Academy and we wish him every success now as he progresses on the pathway programme and I can confirm we have made recommendations for 2014.[ He too has received appointments in the forthcoming Mc Kenna Cup Campaign ]

Under Fergal’s guidance, the number of Advisory reports have contributed towards the completion of our perceived strategy for 2013 and resulted in averages above 85% - meeting our expectations.

Our progression is in no small part due to the hard work and guidance of our Referee’s Administrator and chairman and of course to the tireless work of Paddy Boyle and Jim O’Rourke on whom we have relied heavily for assessment/advisory process’s in the course of the year. I do however feel that we need to concentrate our focus on more such appointments from within the county in the year ahead [ and arrangements will be made by ND to source a suitable course early in 2014 through Ulster Council ] .

The committee have met frequently and been able to manage and support members with the text system being an invaluable tool not only for games appointments but as a message format for referee’s information or meetings and thanks in particular to Niall Cullen as IT officer, who has facilitated in processing the information to clubs and referee’s alike.

The Financial difficulties felt by many counties is no less within Fermanagh and I am hopeful that the improvements made this year ensure such difficulties, for referee and Advisors is a thing of the past. I need not remind all that clubs must meet their commitments to ensure survival and ability to meet our outgoings especially for referee’s who commit their own money throughout the whole of the season to assist the county to fulfil it’s fixture programme and it is only right they should receive their expenses on time each and every year.

Our sincere thanks to those clubs who provided officials and an improved standard of accommodation.

The disciplinary process’s is ever present and I would have to add that the introduction of the Black Card must be applied from day 1 to ensure everyone gets a grip on the new rules quickly. You as referee’s must adapt, and quickly, but with a common sense approach and I am sure the county board will be actively looking at new match cards and report sheets in the months ahead. [ I also remind all on application of the mouthguard rule which applies across all codes from 1st January – the onus is on the player but you apply the rule ]

Analysis from CCC will show that in 2013 there were 99 dismissals in adult competition with 52 DYC [ increase of 21% ] and 47 RC‘s in adult competition, [ decrease of 45% ] many for abuse or indeed failure in rules discipline.

CCC recorded 12 cases of adult dismissal of which only 5 were upheld and 7 overturned or downgraded. [ We are all too aware of specifics involving our most senior of referees in recent months!!!!]

Youth Competition saw 47 dismissals this season with 16 DYC’s and 31 RC’s representing a staggering increase of 72% in straight red but a 54% drop on DYC’s.

Instances of dissent and verbal abuse were recorded at 14% and whilst demonstrating a drop against 2012 this still remains a concern.

3 incidents of physical interference were reported a reduction of 50% on last season and I believe in no small measure to our own approach on the field.

There were 3 appeals made to CCC in youth competition all of which were overturned – somehow that action doesn’t stack up !!

Irrespective of the results above - It will be no surprise that referee/ official abuse has been an issue again in 2013 and one which demands the continued attention of county board officers and CCC. All are reminded that we must “ apply the rule and identify and report ALL individuals”.

As referee’s we must not fail in our duty for proper rules application nor record correctly in the report process ???

I have always had to question if clubs and players actually understand the playing rules or indeed are hearings out of touch with the reality on the field where some dubious decisions are reached on appeal.

I wont say much more on the subject of Hearings for all too often there are dismissals overturned on questionable grounds leaving referee’s bewildered and with little regard to the fact that the referee involved will be facing that team again within a few weeks or days.

Referee’s have emphasised the need for better communication and an acceptance that whilst they can and do make mistakes it is essential that there is an acceptance that abuse from any quarter cannot and must not continue.

Their willingness to continue improvement is reflected in their unanimous support for the “Respect Initiative” proposed by the Youth Board and their commitment to improved standards..

We should perhaps again note that those clubs who have shown a level of disciplinary control this year have largely faired well in their respective campaigns though there are always exceptions as we seen yet again in 2013.

Training dates will be set in advance for 2014 commencing on 23rd of January with a Club Officials Black Card Seminar – [ any referee’s who have not completed the course MUST do so before the start of the playing season or they cannot be active]. The process for Kit orders needs review due to the ongoing financial pressures on clubs and maybe a county wide set fee be applied across all clubs or referees purchase kit up front and are reimbursed based on a minimum number of active games.

[ The committee will consider and make recommendation to the County Board ]

And a reminder that, with the new report cards process’s proper administration of infraction must be added. [ I will add here the need for being observant in relation to injuries as highlighted at Convention – observe and record – 60 day rule applies ]

On behalf of the committee may I extend thanks to all who have been available and officiated this year - your input has been greatly appreciated and enabled Our Appointments Officer and indeed the CCC, to fulfil league programmes successfully and within the proposed timeframe though I would add my voice to many who feel the season is still too fractious.

362 adult games and 450 youth games [ 812 ] were successfully completed this year with only 3 youth games and 2 adult games recorded as failure to field by an official

I would ask that Referee’s formally confirm their continued availability for 2014 by returning the registration form tonight or by e-mail that we may update the registration list for the season ahead and ensure grading, training and support information is issued to all pre-season. More importantly to ensure we have sufficient officials available given that there are clubs in the county without any referee and others with only 1 on the register, often not being available.

Congratulations to those appointed to the County Finals and particularly the other officials – umpires especially, who have assisted with support duties in the course of the year.

Both the committee and I extend our sincere sympathies to all clubs throughout the county who have lost playing members, friends or family this year. Best wishes are also extended to Senior squad Management as we strive for improvement in our national and provincial position and of course each club, throughout all the codes, for a successful and, more importantly, disciplined season ahead.

Finally…..personal thanks to Fergal Cleary for his leadership this year, the committee members for their work and support, Tom Boyle, County Executive and of course Cathaoirleach Patsy Dolan in his continued tenure as County Chair, for their diligence, support and direction in a continued challenging year for the County Gaels [ and last but not least – to maybe the most important person here tonight, may I extend thanks to Patricia who has put in significant work in ensuring you all get paid. I extend our best wishes in her new role for 2014.

Is mise

Aralt MacThrienier