Questionnaire Responses
What three things would you like to see done to improve the ARLB and its service to you?
- -The website has been a huge help from a planning point of view.
-I would like more communication with other referees. I feel that communication with each other is beneficial to share & learn from each others experiences. I was fortunate enough when I began to have colleagues either at the same level or above me to talk to. With this in mind I would encourage experienced members to communicate with the new referees to help them along. The unknown in the worst part of starting something new and I feel that this point could be linked to Q’s 5 & 6 above to retain referees who come on board.
-Providing more referees at youth level, I am constantly being asked to referee as ARLB not providing sufficient bodies at this level. Are all refs utilized at the weekends? Should ARLB put on the website a list of refs not getting games at the weekend and allow clubs the option of ringing these guys to see if they are available? The website is excellent in that it shows who is getting games at weekends but there must be refs out there looking for games that would be glad to get a run at the weekend.
-If sufficient assessors are not available, clubs should be asked to complete referee assessments. Competent club representative such as team managers, fixtures secretary etc. Youth co-coordinators, coaches who have reached certain coaching grades etc should be asked to complete these tasks. (I only ref at youth level in Leinster and some school matches, but I have not been assessed in over 2 years, some feedback would be appreciated.)
-With the popularity of the Celtic League and the Heineken Cup, the ARLB should consider holding a social night at one of these events for all active referees and assessors and possible wife/partner (who sometimes put up with a lot especially if doing 2 matches at weekends!).
-More area laws meetings.
-Active referees to get involved in committees.
-Greater transparency in grading.
-Guaranteed minimum of one assessment per referee.
-Better return of assessment reports to individual referees.
-Referees being rewarded with high profile games at their level of refereeing instead of fast track or higher graded referees.
-ARLB to be run seminars independently of the IRFU.
-More involvement of active referees in the development of the ARLB & the service to the professional causes.
-Transparency of ticket allocations.
-Assessment/coaching reports at every grade.
-Kit should be free.
-Higher mileage rate! Civil service rate.
-Give fixture list of all seminars etc at the start of season.
-More frequent assessments.
-Meeting at 8pm in Dublin mid week are nearly impossible for me to attend & would attend all of them but 2 hours each way & work pressures kill me! Don’t know if they can be run for all say in Naas or Carlow or equivalent from time to time. Again for many, not practical.
-Perhaps the odd mid-season social occasion. I know far fewer ref’s than I used to partly because I rarely attend meetings in Dublin now, partly because there’s nothing on that caters for the non Dublin members (not talking about the golf).
-More frequent assessments (none so far in 2006/07)
-Perhaps a mentoring programme where more senior referees provide guidance and help to newer referees.
-More feedback on referee performance.
-Phone call/text aswel as ARLB site with scheduled matches, some of us don’t have 24/7 access to internet.
-More assessments/coaching.
-More localized meetings/training sessions for smaller groups.
-Mentor system for new referees.
-Monthly emailed newsletter.
-More socials.
-Courses/training regularly (monthly). Last year I was on level 2 course with monthly training now I am finished. I have had very few courses. We should all be continually learning.
-Info evening for players as to what is expected from them, to increase their knowledge of law. This may result in less frustration on their part.
-Free entry to Heineken Cup & Magners Leagues games.
-Regular assessments if possible.
-Summer fitness program.
-Assessments out promptly after match assessment.
-Fitness & group training regularly to get to know more referees.
-Assigned a mentor for questions at anytime.
-Quarterly one to one reviews on performance progress and prospects.
-Tutorial videos (or Cd’s) to all referees.
-Increased assessments from same assessors 3 to 4 times a year. Other assessors in between if possible.
-Increase the social aspect of refereeing. You can go weeks without meeting other referees. One learns more from talking to fellow referees.
-Keep up the good work. Don’t forget the older referees!
-I think the ARLB does a pretty good job. Perhaps as I am a greater distance from it, it is difficult. Like most things too many takers and not enough givers.
-More workshops outside Dublin for provincial referees so that they can progress up the grades.
-More assessments.
-More tutoring at lower grades.
-Transparency at regarding time.
-Service from branch office is good.
-Early appointments for matches help to plan free time.
-More planned assessments for refs at lower levels.
-More emphasis and responsibility on existing referees to recruit new refs through their clubs.
-More informed get together’s to thrash any law issues and create a club atmosphere in the Association.
-Weekend away etc with partners etc to broaden the social aspects of the Association.
-To be honest I believe I receive a thoroughly professional and helpful service at all times and can’t see what changes need to be made. This may seem like the easy way out answer but there you have it.
-Clarify structure/categories of referee grades and how to achieve promotion.
-Quicker access to assessments, with tips or suggestions of how to address issues raised.
-Create and mentor groups of referees at same level – network, share common issues.
-More coaching and assessments.
-Development of opportunities for older refs.
-More match tickets available to refs.
-More specific meetings more regularly.
-More assessments.
-Prompt assessment reports.
-More hands on coaching.
-More in the way of mentoring players as opposed to strict assessment.
-Easy non judgmental forum for discussing critical incidents.
-More practical training sessions.
-More regional meetings.
-Courses outside Dublin. I think the overall service is very good. The website and new methods for returning results are making positive use of IT. The new gear is good. Overall I would find it difficult to criticize the present service.
-Active coaching (i.e. at matches)
-More use of mentors to facilitate the development of referees.
-Fitness test to evaluate your fitness relative to the grade you are refereeing at.
-More assessments, otherwise very happy with the service.
-Provide more assistance and development.
-More awareness of what is available.
-Involvement in running the lines in league matches with more experienced referees and higher level matches.
-More assessments.
-Referees to carry out fitness tests.
-Assessments to be carried on ability and not age.
-Match fees
-Guaranteed international match tickets, 2 per game.
-More input from the organization about what level you as a ref are at and what level you should aim for next. Help each individual referee plot a course to take the next step up.
-An up to date club contact list.
-Tracking of refs by assessors.
-More coaching and smaller clinics.
-Longer notice of appointments.
-Quicker feedback from assessments.
-Better presentation of training material/development courses.
-More visible profile for members (referees, assessors and others).
-As much advance notice as possible on selections (e.g. 1 month at a time).
-Closer relationship with Leinster Rugby – (e.g. discounted or even free tickets to Leinster games, offers on merchandise etc).
-More frequent meetings (to be optional) to promote the social side of the game. Meeting on a more regular basis would allow referees (particularly newer ones) the opportunity to meet other refs in more than just a match scenario (where refs are focused on the job in hand and not the social side).
-Pre-paid envelopes for team sheets. This would reduce the necessity to call to the post office/shop etc to purchase envelopes/stamps etc. It is not the cost, it is the convenience of it. With pre-paid envelopes, the team sheets could be dropped into any postbox anywhere.
-Small booklet with club colours, and pen pictures on the website beside Association Officers, so new members have a chance to figure out the “movers and shakers”.
-Non active referees to act as coaches and especially some AIB or higher level active referees on one game per season.
-More region involvement to supply information and training sessions.
-Reviews on career paths and action plans to follow for achievements.
-Mobile texting for fixtures.
-More coaching and assessment.
-Clearer guidelines in relation to progress. Career development should be made available to those who have the ability. Grades should be divided into ranking.
-More one to one feedback on assessments/progression (applies to my IRFU involvement also).
-Greater transparency on selections.
-Organise more social gathering – although I’m conscious of the fact that referee participation is a critical issue in this regard.
-Clear progression path outlined for all ambitious foundation & starting active members (similar to graph produced by the Leinster Branch for rugby players aspiring to contract level). Clarity on selection for the IPAS and AIL must be sought from the IRFU.
-Grants awarded to clubs for the recruitment of a set number of referees under the Clubs of Ireland Scheme must be clarified and publicised. Money talks and clubs should be rewarded for the recruitment and retention of a set number of referees. The ARLB has a role to play in this both provincially and nationally.
-I think that the appointments system & website this year have made selections a lot more transparent & efficient and is a lot easier to work with.
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