September Meeting 2006 Heading
  • 36 members were in attendance out of a total of 143 who have paid subscriptions.
  • The Management Committee are keen to hear of reasons why more members do not attend meetings, especially senior referees. It may be that the change of meeting night from Friday to Thursday needs to be re-considered. With some high calibre speakers due in the next few months it is hoped that attendances will increase.
  • Assessment of County League referees started from the first matches of the season and is meeting the 50% target. Assessment of promotion candidates is also underway. They were reminded that details of all matches they are refereeing must be submitted to Colin Harris as soon as they receive their appointments and to make sure any changes are advised. There are 14 seeking promotion from level 7-6 in the Bristol area and 4 from level 6–5. Applications can be made until the end of September to GFA Referees Secretary, Ken Fry.
  • Paul Rees has done some excellent work in getting this website up to date and is now by far the best it has ever been. Statistics were given on the number of visits to the site, which included some form Japan and Poland. Members were invited to pass any ideas for items to go on the site to Chris Cordy or Colin Harris.
  • Chairman Tony Mills presented Paul with a gift voucher as a gesture of appreciation on behalf of the members in recognition of all his hard work with the site.
 Paul Rees Presentation

 

  • A request was made on behalf of the Bristol Premier Combination and District Leagues to reiterate the advice on jewellery. Also to encourage referees to report misconduct by substitutes and club officials to the GFA with a copy to the league in order that action can be taken against the clubs. The Downs League are also supporting the 100% clampdown on the wearing of jewellery.

  • The County RA annual skittles tournament will take place in Stroud on a date to be confirmed next month. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Peter Colley or Andrew Kennedy.

  • The green supplies catalogue is now out of date and copies of a replacement version should soon be available.

  • For the monthly training topic, Colin Harris advised referees to be more proactive in indicating from where a throw-in is to be taken. An early indication of this should give by verbal or hand signals without needing to be close to where the throw-in is to be taken from. Neutral assistants should be playing their part and this should be included in the pre-match briefing.

  • A reminder was also given that once the throw-in has been taken, if play is stopped because it has been taken from the wrong position, or for any other infringement by the thrower, it must then be awarded to the opposition.

  • Bristol City Academy have entered a new team in the SW Counties League playing on Saturday mornings at Clifton College, Abbots Leigh kicking-off at 10.30. They need a level 5 referee who can regularly officiate, plus two assistants to officiate occasionally. Anyone interested should contact Peter Allen.

  • A letter has been received from Adam Worgan advising that he is moving to Hereford.

  • Guest Speaker was David Neale, Chief Executive of the Gloucestershire FA. He gave a summary of his background as a player, referee and administrator with Alveston F.C. and the District League. He then explained his role and that of the team of people at Oaklands Park, before opening the meeting up for a question and answer session.

  • The next meeting is on Thursday 5 October, 7.30pm at the Memorial Stadium when the guest speaker will be Alan Wiley, who refereed both the Carling and FA Cup Finals in 2006 and is regularly seen refereeing premiership matches on Sky TV.