The Auckland Football Federation Club Based Referee Programme is continuing to prove very successful. Essentially the programme allows nominated individuals to go through a course (often at their own club) to become registered as a Club Based Referee (CBR). They are then entitled to referee any Federation match at their own club, or at an opposition club if the opposition club does not have either an appointed official or their own Club Based Referee.
Successful candidates for the course receive a certificate from New Zealand Football and an official CBR referee shirt, which they are expected to wear when officiating. In addition from 1 July all Club Based Referees will have a registration card which they must show to the opposition team prior to kick-off.
People interested in becoming a Club Based Referee should contact their club secretary or the Referee Development Officer at Auckland Football. If a club has 15 people or more booked to do a course, the course will be held at their own club. Courses are also held at Mt Smart Stadium or candidates can link with a course being held at a nearby club.
NOTE TO CLUBS AND CLUB BASED REFEREES
There have been some instances where coaches appear not to understand the Club Based Referee programme.
A reminder: Where an appointed official is not present, a CBR referees the entire match. If the home team has a CBR, that person controls the match. If the home team does not, but the visiting team does have a CBR, that person controls the whole match. If neither side has a CBR the teams shall referee a half each.
A CBR should advise the coach of the opposition that he/she is a qualified CBR, shall give their name, show their registration card, and MUST be wearing the CBR shirt.
CBRs are reminded that if they are officiating they are NOT allowed to coach as well. Once they take on the responsibility of being the referee that is their SOLE job.
Coaches, spectators etc are reminded that a CBR has the same rights and obligations of an appointed official and any abuse of CBRs will be dealt with severely.
