NEW REFEREE DELEGATE SYSTEM IMPLEMENTED

The National League implemented its plan this season to boost referee development as well as raise the structure of weekends to a level more in line with major club competitions abroad.

There were technical meetings at the start of each weekend, to which referees and a club representative (ideally, the coach) were expected to attend. The intention was that this should help all concerned with both consistency of rule application and the understanding of objectives.

League chairman Steve Monico introduced the presentation at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, on Saturday, 11 September, prior to the opening Division One weekend. Stephen Baker presented the aims and objectives and Roger Hargreaves explained the role of the delegates.

At the Technical Meeting that followed it was made clear that the League intended to ensure FINA rules were closely followed in the application of control of the pit area. Exclusion fouls would no longer be ignored while "jockeying for position" whilst the ball is away.

The players, coaches and referees attending the technical meeting unanimously agreed these meetings were beneficial. A number of questions were asked concerning clarification of the application of the rules, especially in the pit area. It was agreed a paper would be prepared by the League for circulation to all clubs and referees.

Comments and suggestions on all the issues are welcome and should be sent to National League chairman Steve Monico steve.monico@nwpl.co.uk or Stephen Baker, chairman of the League’s new refereeing sub-committee steve.baker@nwpl.co.uk.