SHEFFIELD & HALLAMSHIRE CFA REFEREES NEWS – May 2015NEWSLETTER – Remember that this newsletter is YOURS and as such it is in YOUR interest to be fully aware of its information and contents, and if you have any points you would like to put forward for inclusion or stories of interest please email craig.grundy@sheffieldfa.com using the title NEWSLETTER in the subject at the top of your email.

General AdministrationPersonal Detail ChangesIf any of your personal details have changed please update them via the ‘My Account’ section on your referee dashboard in the Whole Game System.

Registration 2015/16Registration for season 2015/16 is OPEN through the Whole Game System (WGS) and we are pleased to announce that in excess of 300 referees have already completed the re-registration process!

For an instructional video of how to complete the process please visit the link below:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwQKN3KVfCk

To register please visit:https://wholegame.thefa.com/Account/Login

All referees should register prior to the 1st June each year.By doing so you will receive 2 free tickets to a pre-selected evening game at the professional club of their choice as part of our hugely popular Referees Retention Scheme (see below). PLEASE NOTE: If you register after this date you will be charged an extra £8 administration fee if you wish to register.

One of our first referees to Register was 76 year old James Liversage from Maltby. James said ‘’ I found it so easy to re register, it took me less than five minutes on the internet I was quite surprised how quickly I did it. It was so quick I checked the video on the Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA web site which has Craig and James showing and explaining how to do it, to make sure I’d done it right – and I had, it was easy.’ James who took up refereeing in 15 years ago is now a Level 7 Referee.

RetentionRe- registration tickets 2015/16Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA are extremely pleased that the 5 Professional Clubs from the County FA region will be once again be offering 2 tickets to a 2015/16 match for any referee who registers before 1st June, 2015. Last season was a tremendous success with around £25,000 worth of free tickets being distributed to S&HCFA officials.Please remember to click the tickets you require on the WGS when you register.

CRC Information 2015/16Anyone wishing to officiate in ‘Youth Football’ (which includes U18’s) next season will need to ensure that they have an up to date FA Criminal Record Check (CRC). Any CRC with issue dates of 2012 or before MUST be renewed.Without an up to date CRC you will be unable to re-register for next season. For the next season, The County FA have a total of 326 referees who need to re-register – and they have already been contacted on three separate occasions by James Bell from the CFA.

To complete the process please visit:https://gbg.onlinedisclosures.co.uk/Authentication/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f

Then select REGISTER from the login screen and enter the information requested as detailed below:Org PIN 102295Org name 1Sheffield & Hallamshire CFASecret word SandH

Following your online application you will need your ID verified. Four verification sessions have already taken place with the final session planned on Wednesday 13th May (5pm – 7.30pm).

To book a place, please email james.bell@sheffieldfa.com as soon as you can

Promotion Candidates 2015/16You are reminded that promotion applications for season 2015/16 must be received by 1st June 2015.

YOU ONLY HAVE THIS MONTH LEFT TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION!

L7-6, L6-5, L5-4 promotion candidates should email their intentions as soon as possible to Craig Grundy by email - craig.grundy@sheffieldfa.com

Promotion Seminars 2015/16Level 7-6 – Wednesday 17th June and Monday 13th JulyLevel 6-5 – Wednesday 24th June and Monday 20th JulyLevel 5-4 – Monday 27th July

PLEASE NOTE THE DATES IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR PROMOTION

Promotion Fees 2015/16 Please note that every promotion application that is processed by the CFA will cost the candidate £20.00.Providing a candidate completes the whole promotion process, whether he/she is successful or not, then the County FA will pay the individual’s registration for the following season. If an individual does not complete the process, then their registration fee will NOT be paid.

Referees KitIf you are looking to purchase or update your referee kit with the new Nike version, this is now available through the County FA’s retail partners as detailed below:

DB Sports in HillsboroughJJ Leisure in South Emsall

Both shops can arrange for referees kit to be purchased at the same discounted price and can take orders by telephone or by email.

The contact at DB Sports is Dave Barker - Telephone: 01142 341 297 or email enquiries@dbsports.co.uk

Contact at JJ Leisure is Andy Bedford - Telephone: 01977 640 640 or email sales@jjleisure.org.uk

FitnessAndy Hogg will be running “Fitness (with fun)” sessions throughout the closed season. The sessions will take place every Thursday in May, June & July at Don Valley Bowl (adjacent to Ice Sheffield, S9 5DA), from 6.00pm to 7.15pm. The sessions will be hard work but fun, outdoors, on grass and from time to time everyone will have a jog across to Woodbourne Road Stadium for mock tests on the track. The cost for each session is “nowt” as we say in Yorkshire, just come along, have a laugh and train hard!These sessions are mainly with a view to preparing for fitness tests but are open to anybody (including non-referees) who may wish to keep fit during the summer months – just bring them along!Please contact Andy at hoggyref@gmail.com for more information or to let him know you wish to attend.

REMEMBER - Get fit to referee, don’t referee to get fit!!!

S&HCFA Fitness TestsDates are Monday 15th June and Thursday 23rd July – to be held at St Mary’s College, Spinkhill, S31 3YL. The times are to be confirmed.

FA Contributory League Fitness Tests Contributory League Fitness Tests will take place on Sunday 14th June and Sunday 12 th July. Venues have yet to be confirmed, more information will follow in due course.

Training and Development FA Referee TutorsPaul Matthewson (Sheffield) and David Fields (Sheffield) are to attend the Level 1 Referee Tutor Course at St Georges Park in May.There will be a further course in September/October. If you are interested in becoming involved with tutoring please contact Craig Grundy for more details.

Referees Development Programme (RDP)April’s meeting which was held at Ice Sheffield was attended by 45 referees.

The session was related to ‘’mass confrontation’’ and was superbly led by James Bell. Everyone enjoyed the fun packed session which included some group work and video analysis while at the same time taking in some useful knowledge creating a plan to deal effectively with problems they might encounter. This was followed by a social event nearby where it was even ‘’alleged ‘’ that Craig opened his wallet. The rumour could not be confirmed or denied due to the number of moths in the room!

The RDP has closed for the end of the season but should you want to get involved for the 2015/16 season please contact Craig Grundy before the first session which is due in September.

Sheffield & Hallamshire Cup Final Appointments 2014/15Congratulations to all our colleagues who have been selected to officiate in finals CFA and FA Finals!

The FA Cup FinalSaturday 30th May 2015, Wembley Stadium (3pm)Arsenal v Aston VillaAssistant Referee: Darren England (Barnsley)4th Official: Craig Pawson (Sheffield)

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy FinalSunday 22nd March 2015, Wembley Stadium (3.30pm)Bristol City v WalsallAssistant Referee: Richard Wigglesworth (Doncaster)

Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA (U13s) Cup FinalSunday 15th March 2015, at Scawthorpe Scorpions (11am)Rycroft Colts v ThorncliffeReferee: John (Rudi) Bryars (Doncaster) Assistant Referees: Richard Job (Doncaster) & Sean Hibberd (Sheffield)4th Official: David Walton (Doncaster)

Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA Women’s Cup FinalSunday 5th April, at Parkgate FC, (2pm) Huddersfield Ladies v Sheffield FC LadiesReferee: Natasha Wilson (Rotherham)Assistant Referees: Danny Smith (Barnsley) & Amy Hood (Doncaster)4th Official: Melissa Burgin (Sheffield)

Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA Junior Cup FinalWednesday 8th April, at Penistone Church FC (7.30pm)Sheffield FC (Over 35s) v Handsworth Parramore (U21)Referee: Waqar Ahmad (Rotherham)Assistant Referees: Adem Tanriyar (Doncaster) & Roger Webb (Mexborough)4th Official: Antony Tierney (Sheffield)

Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA Sunday Junior Cup FinalSunday 12th April, Stocksbridge Park Steels FC (11am) Handsworth Turf v Upton Wrangbrook Referee: Michael Warner (Sheffield) Assistant Referees: Andrew Jarvis (Worksop) & Gareth Davies (Worksop)4th Official: Michael Brown (Sheffield)

Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA Association Cup FinalThursday 16th April, Worksop Parramore FC (7.30pm) Denaby Main v AFC Emley

Referee: Paul Tomes (Sheffield) Assistant Referees: Mehdi Najefi (Sheffield) & Justin Carpenter (Rotherham)4th Official: Wayne Escreet (Rotherham)Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA (U16s) Youth Cup FinalSunday 26th April, Frickley Athletic FC (11am) Handsworth Boys JFC v Sheffield Wednesday Young Owls Referee: Michael Bell (Rotherham) Assistant Referees: Andrew Butler (Doncaster) & Glenn Whitehead (Barnsley)4th Official: Chris Denton (Barnsley)

Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA Senior Cup FinalFriday 1st May, New York Stadium (7.30pm) Nostell MW v Frickley Athletic Referee: Anthony Tankard (Sheffield) Assistant Referees: Luke Watson (Barnsley) & Matthew Tyers (Sheffield)4th Official: Martin Edwards (Sheffield)

Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA Sunday Senior Cup FinalWednesday 6th May, New York Stadium (7.30pm) High Noon v Royal EarlReferee: David Evans (Sheffield) Assistant Referees: Greg Roberts (Sheffield) & Joe Barber (Rotherham) 4th Official: Colin Bailey (Rotherham)

All CFA appointments were made following meetings involving a Panel of County FA representatives.

MEET THE REF Each month one referee will be selected at random to give an interview (should they wish) which will be included in this monthly magazine.

First up… WAYNE COOPER

PersonalAge: 44 years youngBirthplace: LeedsOccupation: Finance DirectorRefereeing Level: Level 4 supply league refereeDistrict Association: RotherhamYear you qualified: 2001

RefereeingQ. Why did you become a referee?A. I was the Secretary of a team and was fed up of having no referee so thought I’d help out and put my name down for the course. I enjoyed it and have loved refereeing ever since.

Q. What do you consider to be the most important game you have officiated? A. My NEXT game.

Q. Who do you consider to have been the biggest influence on your career to date?A. My wife Adele has been a great support and inspiration to me. I would also say an assessor from down south called Rob Castle who pointed out some very helpful things.

Q. What did you hope to achieve when qualifying as a referee and do you have any further aspirations?A. I’ve achieved more than I ever anticipated and I just want to go on as long as I can to enjoy what I do.

Q. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in refereeing so far?A. Attaining level 4 and refereeing the Junior Cup Final a few years ago. Interesting FactsQ. What Football team do you support?A. Rotherham United

Q. Who is your sporting idol?A. Howard Webb is a great ambassador for Rotherham and refereeing. He’s a nice man too!

Q. What hobbies do you have? A. Refereeing takes a lot of my time but I love skiing and holidaying

Q. What is your favourite food?A. I like all food other than cauliflower and cheese. I love sea food!

Q. What is your favourite holiday destination?A. Menorca and cruising, especially in the Caribbean.

Q. Who are your favourite artist or band and what is the first album you ever bought?A. I love listening to Howard Jones and my first record was Humans Lib.

Q. If you could meet any person in the world from the past or present, who would it be?A. I would love to have met Princess Dianna

Q. If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?A. I love the job I do because it gives me the flexibility to arrange more holidays. Other than that, Captain of a cruise ship or retired (but you don’t get any Bank Holiday pay when you retire!)

We hope that you enjoyed May’s edition of Referee News and would like to thank Dennis Hogg for helping to put this together. We would also like to thank Wayne for giving us an insight into his refereeing and trust you look forward to June’s edition where we will be hearing from our officials involved in the 2015 FA Cup Final at Wembley!

The Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA Referee’s Department