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Sutton and District Referees Society

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Monday, September 04, 2006

Reffing in Bermuda

All the number plates on Bermuda's cars carry the slogan 'A different world' - and nowhere is this more true than in refereeing.

The only real similarity with England is the shortage of officials - double and even triple headers are the order of most weekends - beyond that everything is different both in the recreational league and at the top level.

Changing facilities at all but the national stadium are makeshift at best, most are just cupboards - giving pre-match instructions surrounded by crates of Heineken and Amstel Light was certainly a first for me. And there is no turning up in suits here, nor is it worth being there an hour before kick off as the gates will still be locked.

The 30-minute rule for teamsheets has only been adhered to once in my three years here - five minutes before or after kick off is the norm. The pre-match removal of jewellery is even more of an ordeal than usual due to the preponderance of bling, with diamond-studded earrings and multiple rings on both hands not unheard of.

The crowds for the big games here can be as large as 3,500 and the abuse of officials is rife, although the added edge of racism is never far from the pitch.

There are just four white officials and for a captain to say 'morning white boy' pre-toss is not unheard of, nor seen as offensive, at least not by the Bermuda Football Association.

More than a couple of players have been sent off for calling me a 'f***** white boy' and one was dismissed - as much for stupidity as anything else - for calling me a 'racist' after I gave a foul against him for a challenge on another black player!

Away from the top level, where the crowds are smaller and voices can be more clearly heard, people have threatened to burn my house down - I didn't have the heart to tell them I rent - 'machete my a***' and 'slit my throat'. All in a day's work for an official happy to give up a boat trip or day on the beach for $60 and 90 minutes of abuse.

One of the most biazarre aspects of my life in Bermuda has been the huge conflict of interests that no one seems to mind me getting away with. I work as a sports reporter at the newspaper in Bermuda so am required to cover the matches, the simple thing is to work as assistant referee, I am recording the times of the goals anyway, and send the report in afterwards. The Football Association don't mind and neither do my employers!

Bermuda has presented me with some wonderful opportunities, not the least of which have been the international friendlies. I have lined three or four finals - including two FA Cups, which looks good on my CV - and a good half a dozen internationals.

One highlight was giving Shaun Goater offside against Nicaragua - and then he complained about the decision the following week in his weekly column, which I ghostwrite!

I have also refereed New England Revolution - a top MLS team featuring some World Cup bound players including Clint Dempsey who scored against Ghana - against Bermuda Under 19s and lined games including Jamaica Under 20s and Santos reserves - Pele's old club.

My three years in Bermuda has seen me work with some excellent officials from our FiFA list and some terrible ones - one guy put down his flag to punch a noisy fan midway through the second half, another female official actually sat on a wall and talked to fans when play was away from her end and another supposedly senior linesman had a bizarre habit of flagging wildly during play to stop the game to allow for substitutions.

It's been an interesting time but I'm now ready to go home to proper grounds, less racial abuse although fewer international opportunities and much worse weather.

---

Dan Rutstein took up refereeing as a 14-year-old to follow in the footsteps of neighbour John Kasey. After a few years going through the junior programme in Surrey, he moved up to university in York where he refereed for six years before his journalism took away his weekends. He took up the whistle again in Bermuda and is set to return to the UK in October where a 9-5 job will allow him to officiate at home again.

Dan Rutstein
Deputy Sports Editor
Royal Gazette
Bermuda

Sunday, September 03, 2006

EPSOM & EWELL YOUTH LEAGUE

President – Dennis Rulton:
Chairman - David Goldsmith 020 8394 0490
General Secretary – Dick Page 01372 276678
Referees Secretary Steve Smith: - 30 Holland Avenue Cheam surrey SM2 6HU

14th July 2006
Dear Referee

Registration for the new season 2006 - 2007

To those referees registered with the league last season I would like to thank you, on behalf of the league, for your support during the 2005-06 season. The league values your contribution and trust that you will register again for the new season which will run from September 2006 to May 2007.

For those referees who were not registered with league last season, the league committee, clubs and fellow referees would value your support for this coming season.

Please find attached a referee registration form for the 2006 – 2007 season for your completion and return to me at the above address as soon as possible please, preferably by mid August. If you cannot commit to available dates for the whole season at this time please return the form with a suitable notation and then advise me of your available dates as soon as you can.

The form also gives you the opportunity to limit where you travel if you so wish, but obviously it would help the league if you were as flexible as possible. Please add any additional information you would like to on the reverse of the form - and when you do allocate dates to the league please remember to keep a record.

Matches are played on Saturday mornings for Under 8 to Under 11 and Sunday mornings for Under 12 to Under 17 inclusive. Kick off times are generally between 9.45 and midday, but there is the occasional later kick off on Sundays – but no later than 2.00pm.

The league continues to promote the highest standards of refereeing, recruit and retain referees and to promote best practices in all aspects of youth football. I trust that you will support these objectives.

Please feel free to call me (at the indicated times below) before or during the season if you would like to discuss any aspect of your refereeing.

Please also ask any refereeing colleagues who would like to referee for the league to contact me.


With very best wishes




Steve Smith


Telephone 020 8661 6249 Evenings (8 to 10pm) & Weekends
Mobile 07779 885418 Evenings (8 to10 pm) & Weekends
Email referees@eeyfl.org.uk

Secretary - John Kasey

29 August 2006


Dear All

Now that the long hot Summer has passed it is time for the real football to start.

My thoughts on the World Cup were how disappointing it all was. The best players rarely showed their true ability and the matches were generally drab. I know everyone has their own ideas and you could use Touchlines to express these.

The first meeting is nearly upon us. I have invited Alex Neil a 22 year old Level 4 to come along and talk about fitness and the avoidance of injury.

The format of other meetings is outlined ( but not confirmed) on the Web site. Phil and I are going to a meeting on the 4 September to meet the other local Societies. The idea is to see if there is any scope in arranging a larger meeting and inviting bigger named guest speakers. Other matters will also be discussed and the outcome reported.

I received a letter from Peter Fenn to say that he is moving to West Sussex in the near future. He will be sorely missed as not only is he the RA Delegate but his own style always brightened up the monthly meeting. Good luck Peter.

Obviously, we need a replacement to Peter and offers are most welcome. The other Delegate is Gary Peach and the Society is asked to send two Representatives to bi-monthly meetings in Leatherhead.

Steve Smith, Secretary of the Epsom and Ewell Parks League has asked that we advertise their need for Officials as has the Surrey Intermediate League. If anyone is looking for a game there are plenty around!!

It was suggested that each of the Society Officers provide a Job Description. These are available in Touchlines. Please fell free to come forward to help at any time.

Again, I will re-iterate that the Society is here to help you and please use it as such.

I think that's about all, and see you on the 13th


John