2024 Premier Youth Leagues

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Originally Posted by Izzy

If a kid is on the team sheet but doesn't step on the pitch does that mean they have 'played'?

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Because there is no way to prove he didn't then yes.

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I suspect there are plenty of examples of players playing up that also have their name on their correct age team sheet with no intention of playing. I am always surprised by how many upsets there are in the finals series, and I suspect this issue has a bit to do with it.

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Your example doesn't work because it accounts total games listed on the team sheet by the player and it means they have to not be listed on their correct age which means they never played their age in those games and if they never stepping on the pitch then they didn't play any game

Your example can go the other way though, if you have a spare slot, list the player in his age even if the player never takes the field and allow him to play age up. I know of one coach that did this a few years ago, so when his team made finals that player who had actually played up an age all year and never his own could come back and play his own age because the team sheets had him playing both games every week.

I agree and understand the logic but it should be only where there is no other solution. I have seen one club where there 13?s keeper who is one of the best around is standing on the sidelines watching the 15s keeper play down. I am not sure if the club is telling a different story to NNSWF than the reality but they have done it from all reports 3 or 4 times other times this season when the 13s keeper was available.

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Originally Posted by Taffy

Because there is no way to prove he didn't then yes.



Your example can go the other way though, if you have a spare slot, list the player in his age even if the player never takes the field and allow him to play age up. I know of one coach that did this a few years ago, so when his team made finals that player who had actually played up an age all year and never his own could come back and play his own age because the team sheets had him playing both games every week.

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This is the point I was (obviously poorly) trying to make. Thanks for confirming that it does actually happen.

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Originally Posted by Gman

I agree and understand the logic but it should be only where there is no other solution. I have seen one club where there 13?s keeper who is one of the best around is standing on the sidelines watching the 15s keeper play down. I am not sure if the club is telling a different story to NNSWF than the reality but they have done it from all reports 3 or 4 times other times this season when the 13s keeper was available.

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Bit of a joke really, Northern talk about upholding the integrity of their competitions and how it is a premier competition but allow this DivA club to do this

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Originally Posted by Taffy

Bit of a joke really, Northern talk about upholding the integrity of their competitions and how it is a premier competition but allow this DivA club to do this

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How they let any club get away with it to be honest. To hear that they are not allowing some clubs who have multiple injured players to do it and then let others do it at will to secure points is crazy. But you?re 100% right this is my first year at Northern and I can see what everyone complains about 🤷*♂️

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Originally Posted by Izzy

This is the point I was (obviously poorly) trying to make. Thanks for confirming that it does actually happen.

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Trophies mean more than the players most of the time. You welcome.

The competition rule that covers Goal Keepers playing down an age group

8.3. Player Eligibility Exemptions

(a) Players are not permitted to play down into an age group or grade lower than they are age eligible for with the exception of:
(i) In the event of an injury or unavailability to a Goalkeeper and the subsequent goalkeeper from the age group or grade below is unable to participate, Clubs must complete and submit the following form Eligibility Form allowing for permission to play the Goalkeeper from the corresponding next age group or grade above. Premier Youth League Boy?s | Competition Rules 2024 | P a g e | 9
(ii) The Eligibility Form must be completed and submitted by a Club Executive or the Club Technical Director by or before 9am the next Business Day following the completion of the Match.
(iii) Clubs are responsible for collecting and storing applicable evidence to support the usage of a Goalkeeper from the higher age group which may be requested by NNSWF.
(iv) In the event a Player or Goalkeeper does not meet the above criteria, Clubs may apply in writing to NNSWF to request special exemption. (v) Should a Club be found guilty of the using a Goalkeeper from a higher grade to gain Sporting Advantage, which may include taking adequate steps in assembling their squads appropriately, they may be subject to NNSWF Premier Competition Regulation 7 and corresponding sanctions.

As for the Finals?
The rule does state ?played? in as a key word?Do the officials keep a record of which subs have gone on the pitch and played?

I think there is a risk in this one, in that that kid might not play in a style commensurate with the other team, does not know how to work within that team and may even prove a liability

Ref rules 6.10, (a), ii

(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, percentage is calculated based on the number of individual games the Player has played, and not the number of games the Team has participated in

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

Do the officials keep a record of which subs have gone on the pitch and played?

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No,not in youth football with unlimited subs.

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

As for the Finals?
The rule does state ?played? in as a key word?Do the officials keep a record of which subs have gone on the pitch and played?

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Only in reserves and first grade, if they are listed in youth they are deemed to have played

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I think there is a risk in this one, in that that kid might not play in a style commensurate with the other team, does not know how to work within that team and may even prove a liability

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If you've played the majority of your games in the age up then chances are you know how to work with them.

Dropping down of course may see this but then they aren't eligible.

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Originally Posted by Taffy

If you've played the majority of your games in the age up then chances are you know how to work with them.

Dropping down of course may see this but then they aren't eligible.

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I meant specifically if a kid was dropping down an age (for perceived advantage) 😊

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

The competition rule that covers Goal Keepers playing down an age group

8.3. Player Eligibility Exemptions

(a) Players are not permitted to play down into an age group or grade lower than they are age eligible for with the exception of:
(i) In the event of an injury or unavailability to a Goalkeeper and the subsequent goalkeeper from the age group or grade below is unable to participate, Clubs must complete and submit the following form Eligibility Form allowing for permission to play the Goalkeeper from the corresponding next age group or grade above. Premier Youth League Boy?s | Competition Rules 2024 | P a g e | 9
(ii) The Eligibility Form must be completed and submitted by a Club Executive or the Club Technical Director by or before 9am the next Business Day following the completion of the Match.
(iii) Clubs are responsible for collecting and storing applicable evidence to support the usage of a Goalkeeper from the higher age group which may be requested by NNSWF.
(iv) In the event a Player or Goalkeeper does not meet the above criteria, Clubs may apply in writing to NNSWF to request special exemption. (v) Should a Club be found guilty of the using a Goalkeeper from a higher grade to gain Sporting Advantage, which may include taking adequate steps in assembling their squads appropriately, they may be subject to NNSWF Premier Competition Regulation 7 and corresponding sanctions.

As for the Finals?
The rule does state ?played? in as a key word?Do the officials keep a record of which subs have gone on the pitch and played?

I think there is a risk in this one, in that that kid might not play in a style commensurate with the other team, does not know how to work within that team and may even prove a liability

Ref rules 6.10, (a), ii

(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, percentage is calculated based on the number of individual games the Player has played, and not the number of games the Team has participated in

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Thanks for sharing, so the club is deliberately lying to NNSWF to get the older keeper to play down. Pretty disappointing when clubs would stoop that low and also not great for the younger keepers development.

Fully agree sapdad.The failure of coaches and players to control themselves and play within the rules is the reason for referees actions (YC/RC)I watch a lot of junior football and the majority of the referees are more than capable-maybe have a look of the standard of football they officiate on-saw 3 of the worst games (15/16/18)last weekend very poor standard games

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Originally Posted by outsider

Fully agree sapdad.The failure of coaches and players to control themselves and play within the rules is the reason for referees actions (YC/RC)I watch a lot of junior football and the majority of the referees are more than capable-maybe have a look of the standard of football they officiate on-saw 3 of the worst games (15/16/18)last weekend very poor standard games

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Just remember we are dealing with some very deluded parents/players/coaches here who think that their bundle of joy is on their way to EPL stardom when they are so far from that sort of level it is ridiculous. Last week I saw several offsides and fouls that the parents, coaches and players complained about forcefully to the referee, and in every case they were 100% wrong (I checked VEO).

Sometimes referees do make poor decisions, some interpret the rules differently to one another, they may/may not see something on a pitch, and sometimes there are rules they don't realise or have forgotten in the moment, etc

We all make mistakes...but we're also not playing for sheep stations

I would like to think there was a review and feedback process to supplement the learning of especially the young referees. (There probably isn't though)...but feedback is the only way to really get better and improve standards

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Originally Posted by Gman

Thanks for sharing, so the club is deliberately lying to NNSWF to get the older keeper to play down. Pretty disappointing when clubs would stoop that low and also not great for the younger keepers development.

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I don't know which club you are referencing (and probably better not to call them out)...I haven't noticed or heard of anyone in my boys age group do this habitually

However, they may not be cheating, their younger keeper may trully not be unavailable (if I was thinking of 13s the SAP/JDL keeper might be at a different location playing around the same time); any other grades they might be unfit or have other commitments to attend to

And of course, they may be abusing the allowance...it would be up to Northern to monitor and check the evidence supplied by the club as per point (iii) in the rule I copy pasted

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

Sometimes referees do make poor decisions, some interpret the rules differently to one another, they may/may not see something on a pitch, and sometimes there are rules they don't realise or have forgotten in the moment, etc

We all make mistakes...but we're also not playing for sheep stations

I would like to think there was a review and feedback process to supplement the learning of especially the young referees. (There probably isn't though)...but feedback is the only way to really get better and improve standards

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There are coaching nights at least monthly for referees and assessors/mentors are at grounds when available-but there are not enough of them to go around.After match debriefs take place and coaching reports are supplied to the referees.Can only do so much with the people available.Not sure what else can be done given the fact that most of the young referees rely on parent transport,many of them play and have other activities in their life (even school)Everyone has to start somewhere and the young referees are no different.Game would be poorer without them.

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

I don't know which club you are referencing (and probably better not to call them out)...I haven't noticed or heard of anyone in my boys age group do this habitually

However, they may not be cheating, their younger keeper may trully not be unavailable (if I was thinking of 13s the SAP/JDL keeper might be at a different location playing around the same time); any other grades they might be unfit or have other commitments to attend to

And of course, they may be abusing the allowance...it would be up to Northern to monitor and check the evidence supplied by the club as per point (iii) in the rule I copy pasted

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I know the kids parents so they were frustrated that their kid was being overlooked for the opportunity and the kid was available each and everytime. It was 14?s keeper being unavailable and the 13?s keeper finishing their game and watching the 14?s play - so 100% available. I appreciate its up to Northern to monitor, but clear as day what they were doing unfortunately and I assume Northern take the request in face value. Their son will move on next season so it?s the clubs loss in the end for not developing the player.

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Originally Posted by Gman

I know the kids parents so they were frustrated that their kid was being overlooked for the opportunity and the kid was available each and everytime. It was 14?s keeper being unavailable and the 13?s keeper finishing their game and watching the 14?s play - so 100% available. I appreciate its up to Northern to monitor, but clear as day what they were doing unfortunately and I assume Northern take the request in face value. Their son will move on next season so it?s the clubs loss in the end for not developing the player.

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Northern don't monitor and just accept what a club tells them. Clearly this club are breaking the rules and Northern despite talking about integrity within their competitions don't really care.

Though if the club has no faith in this keeper and aren't willing to let him play, it sounds like this keeper should be looking around elsewhere to be given these opportunities.

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Originally Posted by outsider

There are coaching nights at least monthly for referees and assessors/mentors are at grounds when available-but there are not enough of them to go around.After match debriefs take place and coaching reports are supplied to the referees.Can only do so much with the people available.Not sure what else can be done given the fact that most of the young referees rely on parent transport,many of them play and have other activities in their life (even school)Everyone has to start somewhere and the young referees are no different.Game would be poorer without them.

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Just to add to this,theres usually about 16-20 matchdays attended by assessors over a weekend.They dont do all grades but every written report my boys have ever gotten have been pretty in depth and helpful (for both centre refs and assistants).They give feedback on positioning,decisions and general management of the games.There was a program to get as many mentors (ex-players/coaches/interested parents) to give up their time and attend matchdays (most involving 1st year refs at JDL) to help kids with some of the finer points.If refs want to do finals series games they had to do an extra coaching session out at the facility as well as a fintess test.The refs did this on their own time.If they didnt pass both they werent going to be considered for selection.So to add to outsiders point,yes,in fact there is a lot of work being put in to improving the standard of refereeing every week.

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

We all make mistakes...

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This is the bit that gets me the most.If a coach makes a bad sub,or sets his team up wrong do parents and players ever feel empowered to lean over the fence and call them a cheat and carry on like idiots?If anyones kid has an airswing,misses a tackle,fumbles a sitter or misses a tap in do adults scream and swear about how awful they are and accuse them of being a cheat for the other team?Because this is exactly how these same adults feel about abusing match officials.Again,and without any confusion,match officlals know more about the rules,and how to apply them that the overwhelming majority of people on the other side of the fence and anyone abusing match officials look pathetic and deserve to be removed from the sport.

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Originally Posted by Taffy

Northern don't monitor and just accept what a club tells them. Clearly this club are breaking the rules and Northern despite talking about integrity within their competitions don't really care.

Though if the club has no faith in this keeper and aren't willing to let him play, it sounds like this keeper should be looking around elsewhere to be given these opportunities.

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100% the kid is a gun and the coach knows it but the TD making all the decisions. My understanding is the kid is leaving to play NPL1 in Sydney?.

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Originally Posted by Gman

100% the kid is a gun and the coach knows it but the TD making all the decisions. My understanding is the kid is leaving to play NPL1 in Sydney?.

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Good on him, hopefully he does well.

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Originally Posted by sapdad

Just to add to this,theres usually about 16-20 matchdays attended by assessors over a weekend.They dont do all grades but every written report my boys have ever gotten have been pretty in depth and helpful (for both centre refs and assistants).They give feedback on positioning,decisions and general management of the games.There was a program to get as many mentors (ex-players/coaches/interested parents) to give up their time and attend matchdays (most involving 1st year refs at JDL) to help kids with some of the finer points.If refs want to do finals series games they had to do an extra coaching session out at the facility as well as a fintess test.The refs did this on their own time.If they didnt pass both they werent going to be considered for selection.So to add to outsiders point,yes,in fact there is a lot of work being put in to improving the standard of refereeing every week.

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What a joke this is. Youre just defensive as your kid is a ref. The amount of BS your hearing to what actually happens is a joke.
Many times this year in YPL the ref has been out of their depth. The instructor is pretending that they are competent. This isnt the grade they should be practicing. Again for your ignorance Northern is putting kids where they arent ready, not the refs fault.
Go back to JDL or community and get confidence. Too many games have become a farce where the more physical team can kick their way to a win or commit fouls and get away with it.

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

Sometimes referees do make poor decisions, some interpret the rules differently to one another, they may/may not see something on a pitch, and sometimes there are rules they don't realise or have forgotten in the moment, etc

We all make mistakes...but we're also not playing for sheep stations

I would like to think there was a review and feedback process to supplement the learning of especially the young referees. (There probably isn't though)...but feedback is the only way to really get better and improve standards

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Some refs aren't making any decisions. They're too scared to blow the whistle.

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Originally Posted by Skimmer

What a joke this is. Youre just defensive as your kid is a ref. The amount of BS your hearing to what actually happens is a joke.
Many times this year in YPL the ref has been out of their depth. The instructor is pretending that they are competent. This isnt the grade they should be practicing. Again for your ignorance Northern is putting kids where they arent ready, not the refs fault.
Go back to JDL or community and get confidence. Too many games have become a farce where the more physical team can kick their way to a win or commit fouls and get away with it.

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I also see the games through 3 different perspectives across multiple age groups every weekend so theres plenty more players/refs and coaches I see apart from my own.I hope one day someone explains to you why referees are leading games at this level at this age.But then again it seems you are a massive part of the reason why this is happening so I doubt you would care.Also,refs cant 'just go back to community' but you would have known that if you had any understanding of how the program works.If you also had any clue you would know that community and JDL parents are just as big a set of clowns towards referees as YPL parents are and they are just as clueless when it comes to the rules of the game.But apart from that,great post.

The refs should not be blamed but nnsw should. They are ruining the games by letting young inexperienced kids ref matches. In many instances letting kids that play the same age group in same competition which is a recipe for disaster. Where else in the world would you see a ref from same competition officiate rival teams games? What could go wrong ����*♂️

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Originally Posted by Dreamtime Yowie

In many instances letting kids that play the same age group in same competition which is a recipe for disaster.

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I agree that this is not a great look but I dont think it happens all that often.It seems to happen more in the 15s/16s age group and there is a reason why but unless you want me to bore you then I wont explain.Its hard to have a direct policy when kids have played across different clubs with different coaches and teammates over the years they are always going to be officiating their rivals and friends especially when you take geography into it.Harder to have 'neutral' refs in places like Tamworth/Mid Coast and even up the Valley.It makes it hard when coaches go into games complaining that a ref is going to cheat them out of a game because 'reasons',if thats the starting point then theres no chance of anyone thinking the ref has done any good (unless they win then all of a sudden the ref isnt that bad).

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Originally Posted by sapdad

I also see the games through 3 different perspectives across multiple age groups every weekend so theres plenty more players/refs and coaches I see apart from my own.I hope one day someone explains to you why referees are leading games at this level at this age.But then again it seems you are a massive part of the reason why this is happening so I doubt you would care.Also,refs cant 'just go back to community' but you would have known that if you had any understanding of how the program works.If you also had any clue you would know that community and JDL parents are just as big a set of clowns towards referees as YPL parents are and they are just as clueless when it comes to the rules of the game.But apart from that,great post.

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First of all, IMO ref's should be starting at community to gain confidence and skills in a less pressured environment than going straight into JDL or PYL and having to deal with the dribble from the coaches & parents that go with that level of competition. This would also allow them to go "back to" community and gain skills at a higher age group before going up through the grades at the PYL level.

Secondly, refs under the NNSW banner are prohibited from doing community football even if they are available, and I'm aware of refs at this level who have been told they are not allowed to act as a club ref at community games even when NNSWF have not appointed them, leading to competent official referees sitting on the sideline while community clubs madly scramble to get the volunteer off the BBQ to get a whistle and take control of a game.

Finally, as a parent of two boys, one who has gone through JDL & is now in PYL, while the other has played MiniRoos & now Interdistrict, I am struggling to recall incidences of poor behaviour at community games that I do at JDL/YPL in the 6 seasons i've been watching JDL/PYL. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but the incidences in my experience are few & far between at the comparable kids level. My PYL son has elected to be a club referee at community son's club for three seasons now because, in his words, "why would I go and have to deal with the crap that goes on each week at JDL or PYL, when I can go to the same ground every week i'm available, get great support from the club when I need it and not get called a cheat every time i blow the whistle"

All in all, reading back on what i'm writing, i'm not sure if i'm agreeing with you or not, but I don't think the issue is as cut & dried as either you or Skimmer make out. I probably tend to agree with Dreamtime Yowie on this one, I feel the issue lies with NNSWF in prioritising filling referee shirts with whoever they can in JDL or PYL over actually developing referees for the whole football pyramid, which as the state body I believe they should be doing.

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Originally Posted by northern_swan

First of all, IMO ref's should be starting at community to gain confidence and skills in a less pressured environment than going straight into JDL or PYL and having to deal with the dribble from the coaches & parents that go with that level of competition. This would also allow them to go "back to" community and gain skills at a higher age group before going up through the grades at the PYL level.

Secondly, refs under the NNSW banner are prohibited from doing community football even if they are available, and I'm aware of refs at this level who have been told they are not allowed to act as a club ref at community games even when NNSWF have not appointed them, leading to competent official referees sitting on the sideline while community clubs madly scramble to get the volunteer off the BBQ to get a whistle and take control of a game.

Finally, as a parent of two boys, one who has gone through JDL & is now in PYL, while the other has played MiniRoos & now Interdistrict, I am struggling to recall incidences of poor behaviour at community games that I do at JDL/YPL in the 6 seasons i've been watching JDL/PYL. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but the incidences in my experience are few & far between at the comparable kids level. My PYL son has elected to be a club referee at community son's club for three seasons now because, in his words, "why would I go and have to deal with the crap that goes on each week at JDL or PYL, when I can go to the same ground every week i'm available, get great support from the club when I need it and not get called a cheat every time i blow the whistle"

All in all, reading back on what i'm writing, i'm not sure if i'm agreeing with you or not, but I don't think the issue is as cut & dried as either you or Skimmer make out. I probably tend to agree with Dreamtime Yowie on this one, I feel the issue lies with NNSWF in prioritising filling referee shirts with whoever they can in JDL or PYL over actually developing referees for the whole football pyramid, which as the state body I believe they should be doing.

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Fair post,and Im glad your lads are out there amongst it.The lack of connection between community and JDL/NPL is one of my main arguments as well.I agree that it could be beneficial but as you said,it cant happen the way its set up (which as you said is on NNSW not the refs).I think we are in agreement on most issues to be fair,I support the refs and have issues with the way the refs program is run.But I also have a bigger problem with coaches and parents who simply have no idea how any of it works and go straight to 'cheat' whenever they dont understand something.Everyone can do better but it seems that some people think that only the refs are the ones who need to change.

As a parent, I most miss the community days of u6-8s...just seemed like much more fun, maybe it was the nostalgia of it! But I also don't remember anyone accusing refs of cheating then either (even when they were young kids from the same club)

Maybe beyond those ages it's a little more "vicious"

As my boy got older, I enjoyed refereeing games at SAP/JDL level...and I didn't mind a bit of banter from the crowd, home or away fans and often just saw it in good humour. I don't recall anything too sinister on game days from the crowd, or the kids while I was doing it. (I refed every home game until u12s when the green shirts took my job! :-P ) but I do know that the competitive spirit really does start to take hold at that time and it seemed to degrade once the green shirts did start to take over. (Again, maybe because if the novice status)

I like that idea of Northern Swan to have a developmental structure placed around it involving all the levels and having kids graduate back and forth across them! :)

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Originally Posted by WOW2.0

I do know that the competitive spirit really does start to take hold at that time and it seemed to degrade once the green shirts did start to take over. (Again, maybe because if the novice status

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Parents are less likely to yell at a man than a teenager because the adult will push back.

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Originally Posted by Taffy

Parents are less likely to yell at a man than a teenager because the adult will push back.

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True, but I'm also not very big and intimidating either, being not much taller than some of the kids I was reffing 😂. More Rotund with a bigger aura of gravitas though! 😛

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Originally Posted by Dreamtime Yowie

The refs should not be blamed but nnsw should. They are ruining the games by letting young inexperienced kids ref matches. In many instances letting kids that play the same age group in same competition which is a recipe for disaster. Where else in the world would you see a ref from same competition officiate rival teams games? What could go wrong ����*♂️

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A bigger question is why inexperienced ref's have to ref these games?

The reason:

Parents, coaches and administrators have intimidated, repulsed or alienated so many intermediate or experienced ref's that there are nowhere near enough required for all games.

Nearly everyone needs to rein in their egos and opinions and let the game be played with who has been out in charge.

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Originally Posted by Aegon

A bigger question is why inexperienced ref's have to ref these games?

The reason:

Parents, coaches and administrators have intimidated, repulsed or alienated so many intermediate or experienced ref's that there are nowhere near enough required for all games.

Nearly everyone needs to rein in their egos and opinions and let the game be played with who has been out in charge.

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So you think thats its ok for refs who are clearly out of their depth and rarely pull up dangerous tackles are ok to ref?
Your ego and opinion is also inept.

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Originally Posted by sapdad

Fair post,and Im glad your lads are out there amongst it.The lack of connection between community and JDL/NPL is one of my main arguments as well.I agree that it could be beneficial but as you said,it cant happen the way its set up (which as you said is on NNSW not the refs).I think we are in agreement on most issues to be fair,I support the refs and have issues with the way the refs program is run. But I also have a bigger problem with coaches and parents who simply have no idea how any of it works and go straight to 'cheat' whenever they dont understand something.Everyone can do better but it seems that some people think that only the refs are the ones who need to change.

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Ive never heard a ref get called a cheat at jdl or ypl. where are you getting your BS from?
I've often heard cmon ref! or heyyyyy ... This isn't abuse unless you have the spine of a jellyfish.
Ive seen reffing that is more incompetent than the players on the field most weeks and who cant keep players safe whilst parents have bitten their tongue. Id rather a clubman do it.
Yes I've reffed at several levels junior and senior.
The seniors, which isnt in this convo is a different scene.

It’s obviously not okay or ideal for a referee to be out of their depth and allowing dangerous tackles as you suggest.

But, what’s the alternative? No refs? Club officials referee?

I guess, we just get better refs?


There’s only so much training, practice and development you can do. There are probably some things that could be done better. Community refereeing was a great space to get out, learn basics, have some fun and try refereeing. You’d move along the ages and get assessed at regular intervals and then you’d be trusted with some higher end games and eventually into the ‘rep’ games or SYL or whatever we were calling it.
So there’s some things, I think the refereeing bodies could do, eg allow that dual registration with NNSW and interdistrict branches.


The very very very root of the problem is that there are simply not enough people willing to referee.

Discovering why (abuse, dissent, lack of support, feeling out of depth, $$ vs time, playing commitments) there are not many referee and addressing those issues is going to be a long path. Nobody wakes up wanting to be a referee. They have a love of the game in one way or another, and think that it could be fun or a viable part time job. Due to lack of numbers, lack of junior games that require a referee (eg no more rooball, smaller field and side games for juniors) means that they are needed to go straight into the ages and divisions that may have historically taken 2-3+ years to reach, are now given to first years.


The hope, is that with changed behaviour, we can at least minimise the player abuse of referees, educate the crowds/parents to be respectful and limit abuse and hopefully allow these young referees to have an evironment conducive to development.



I was at friends last night, and they had the NRL on. There were controversial calls, penalties, sin bins. At no time was there disrespect or dissent or abuse towards the referee making the calls by the players. Only the captain would speak to the referee and it was always respectful and constructive. Contrast that to football whether it be EPL or NPL and see the players surround the referee, remonstrating, gesturing, pure dissent. Football has a problem with referee respect.


There’s a huge pool of players to select teams from. No such pool exists for referees, everybody referees a game.


Again, nobody wants an inexperienced referee, reffing a game. Not the players, not the parents, not the referee association, not the referee themself. It is what it is. People wouldn’t yell out abuse at maccas, so why is it acceptable at children’s sport?

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Originally Posted by Skimmer

Ive never heard a ref get called a cheat at jdl or ypl. where are you getting your BS from?
I've often heard cmon ref! or heyyyyy ... This isn't abuse unless you have the spine of a jellyfish.

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Do you think this whole 'zero tolerance' campaign was introduced because the marketing people were bored?

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Originally Posted by Rodders

Id rather have adult club referees or no game than the incompetence being served up today in YPL by Northern.
If you get all defensive because your kid is part of that then get a tissue and change sport.

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Translation:"In an environment where everyone has their tin foil hats on and complains about bias refereeing I would rather my kids games be officiated by someone who has less knowledge of the rules and less air of impartiality because they are physically bigger and Im more scared to abuse them".How about this for a counterpoint:dont abuse people in their workplace.Feel free to pull your kid or your team from any games where you dont get a big boy referee and see what happens.Unqualified club referees,dumbest shit I've heard on here.

My opinion on referee situation in region. It needs a complete overhaul from the top down.

It is embarrassing that the 3 local referee associations refuse to work with premier referee department and share resources to ensure all games have referees appointed. How many times do we hear all age games having 3 referees but senior zone games or YPL have none. Hard calls need to be made to create 1 referee department in region.

I am sure some referees give up due to abuse. However I know first hand that some referees leave to take up employment where money is more frequent over the course of the year. So many times my kids would have games washed out but then not be appointed for the rescheduled games and therefore missed out on some coin.

Talking about money. I also think NNSW taking money from kids pay to cover admin is a bit rich when you consider the amount of money clubs and players are paying for rego which includes referee costs. Was also shocked at cost to register to referee for 1st year refs, surely NNSW could cover cost and also waive costs in future years to reregister.

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Originally Posted by sapdad

Do you think this whole 'zero tolerance' campaign was introduced because the marketing people were bored?

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I was sworn at by U11s JDL players. When I asked the coach to have a chat to his boys at half time about respecting the refs decision and moving on with the game (they were a dominant team who played some good football), I was told that they could challenge me because I wasn't a teenage ref and I should get on with it.

Clubs/coaches/parents set the culture, kids just follow