REFormation:Life of RileyMany congratualtion to Mike Riley who has been appointed the PGMOL General Manager Designate and will take full control in January 2010 following the retirement of Keith Hackett.The Board of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) has appointed Mike Riley as its General Manager Designate. This appointment will take effect from 1 September 2009 with departing General Manager Keith Hackett completing a handover period by January 2010.The appointment signals the end of an illustrious refereeing career for Riley who has refereed in the Premier League for the past thirteen seasons, officiated in both an FA Cup Final and Carling Cup Final and served as an international referee for eleven years, 7 of those in the Elite Group of Uefa referees.The role includes the training and development of all match officials from the Select Group and National Group.
FAMOA - 3 SeptThe NRCFA has arranged two events in the County with the York event at York City FC on Thursday 3 September 2009 (Middlesbrough on 10 Sept).
It is hoped that this will be another success after last year's event. the key note speakers are Howard Webb, Martin Atkinson, Phil Sharp and Trevor Massey.
Details of the events and timings will be sent out to referees in due course, but make a note in your diary now.
Law changesSee "Law amendments page" for latest changes to the Laws (Minimal).
These cover the experiment with additonal assistant referees, offside, technical area and kicks fro the penalty mark.
Fortunately, these changes are just cosmetic and not significant.
York RA v Lancaster CricketOn the 14 June 12 refs from York RA went over to Morecambe for the annual War of the Roses match. York were well and truly beaten, scoring 88 (all out) whereas Lancaster & Morecambe scored 90 for 2 in 17 overs.
Hospitality was good as usual and the weather first class.
Fitness TrainingThese commence 1845 hrs at York University (Sports centre running track) on Friday 8 May and continue every Tue/Fri until 2 June.
Contributory Fitness Test on Sunday 7 June 2009. It is hoped that this can continue during the summer months also, demand permitting.
Leep to the Minster
York Leeper Hare FL has ended sponsorship with Leeper Hare after sixteen years. The new sponsors form 2009-2010 are York Minster Engineering (FL).
The Wembley CupWembley Stadium will this summer host a prestigious new annual pre-season football tournament, The Wembley Cup in which UEFA Champions League finalists FC Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic Football Club, and African Champions Al Ahly of Egypt will line-up in the inaugural competition on
Friday 24 and Sunday 26 July 2009.
The landmark two-day pre-season competition will consist of two matches to be played across each day. The opening games will be staged on Friday 24 July when Al Ahly take on Celtic while Tottenham play FC Barcelona. The second set of matches will be played two days later on Sunday 26 July with Al Ahly playing FC Barcelona and Tottenham facing Celtic. The winner of the tournament will be decided on a combined points and goals scored system.
Referee NumbersRAE membership at the end of March 2009 was 10, 897 (11,284), a reduction of 3.4%. Membership represents 44% of the number of referees registered in England (24, 545).
663 newly-qualified referees took advantage of the RA supplies voucher initiative.
Map of local clubs on "leagues" page....find your way.
If you are interested in becoming a referee and live in the York area, then drop me an email using the "mail form" facility on this site. Courses are held throughout the year.
If you would like to subscribe to the email newsletter, just send an email and you will be added to the distribution. The latest edition is now on the site (newsletter page).
"Referees' Utilities" page for practical help and advice, including a link to FIFA's interactive "Offside" presentations and misconduct forms; plus some useful local links.
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CLICK ON TO THE RELEVANT PAGE LINK ON THE LEFT OF THIS PAGE............Please enjoy and feel free to leave a message in the guest book____________________________________________________
** Next meeting is on 10 September 2009 (first of the new season) at York City FC **Whilst you are waiting why not try the competition on the "Competition" page; good luck.