This week will (hopefully) mark the start of the 2010 Winter Open Competition so I thought it best to update and refresh you on the correct procedures that all referees need to follow.

Membership

Everybody who referees on a regular basis needs to complete a TTRA membership form (download it here) to become a member. Membership is only $10 and covers you for the entire year. The money does not have to be paid up-front, it is taken out of your match payments.

Un/Availability

If you are unavailable to referee certain weeks (for whatever reason), you need to record it in the "Unavailability list" on the desk in the Referees Room.

If you are appointed to a game and cannot make it for some reason, the responsibility is on you to find a replacement. Please check within your team first (from your referees roster sheet) and then check through the list of Return of Service referees.

Once you have found a replacement, you must then contact me via email or mobile 0400 709 054.

Please note that Referees are not to change the appointments listed on the draw in the referees room. This is now the responsibility of the TTRA Executive Committee only. If you are unable to find me, please see another member of the TTRA Committee or speak to Jan at the admin window.

Player/Coach/Official & Referee Communcation

This year we have adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy (download a copy by clicking here) in regards to communication between players/coaches/officials and referees.

In essence, the policy states that no team member or official is to engage in any direspectful communication with the referee before, during or after the conclusion of the game.

If there are complaints arising from the game, they need to be directed to the club delegate (Dean Condon or Craig Mellon) who will then follow the correct procedure and present the complaint to TCHTA. Players, Coaches and/or Team Officials are not to direct complaints to the referee/s at all.

If you have any questions about anything above, or some general questions about refereeing, please feel free to either post them on the discussion forums, or contact me via email or mobile 0400 709 054.