Code of Conduct - Auckland Football Federation

Auckland Football Federation Referee's Centre Code of Conduct

1.1) OBJECTS

The Objects of the Centre shall be:
To provide suitable Referees to officiate at games as required by New Zealand Football or other bodies affiliated thereto, subject to the payment of the agreed match expenses.
To give uniform interpretations of the LAWS OF ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL (hereinafter referred to as the LAWS) as authorised by the INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION BOARD and amended from time to time.
To do all such things as are conducive to attainment of the objects of the Centre.
To maintain the rights and privileges of the members.
To make such representations to the governing Federation through the RDO as may be thought necessary for the good of the game and for the benefit of referees and refereeing.
To adopt the Laws as laid down from time to time by FIFA and to adhere to the rulings of New Zealand Football.
To purchase, lease, mortgage, acquire, sell or dispose of any real or personal property as may be required to conduct the affairs of the Centre.

1.2) INTERPRETATION

“Member” means any person qualified and admitted to membership of the Centre and who has paid the Annual Subscription within the prescribed time.
“General Meeting” means a Coaching/General Meeting of the Centre.
“Committee” means the Executive Committee of the Centre.
“RDO” means Referee Development Officer
“NZF” means New Zealand Football.
“NZFRC” means New Zealand Football Referees Committee.
All references to gender contained herein shall apply equally to the female or male gender.

1.3) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Committee controls and manages the affairs of the Centre in conjunction with the RDO. It consists of a Chairman, four elected members, the Treasurer, the Centre Coach, the Senior Appointee and the Youth Appointee.
The Committee may co-opt members for various duties to enable the efficient running of the Centre.
The Committee has an obligation to keep all members informed of any information or instructions necessary for the managing of the Centre.
Nominations for the positions vacant on the Committee shall be made to the RDO one month prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Elections for the positions vacant on the Committee shall be held by ballot at the Annual General Meeting.

1.4) COACHING

The Centre Coach works in conjunction with the RDO in providing coaching for the development of members.

1.5) MEETINGS

The meetings of the Centre shall be the Coaching/General Meetings.
Meetings are held on a weekly basis from March to October. Coaching shall be conducted on the second and the fourth Mondays of each month. Alternate meetings are for general discussion.
All members are requested to attend two (2) out of every four (4) coaching meetings unless exemption is granted. Exemption requests must be clearly stated on the membership form stating the reason unable to attend. Exemption will not be unduly withheld.
The Annual General Meeting shall be held prior to the Annual General Meeting of the NZFRC and of Auckland Football. At least seven days notice of the date and time of the holding of such meeting shall be given in writing to the members. All notices forwarded to the address on the Registry of Members held by the RDO shall be deemed to be sufficient notice.

1.6) COMMUNICATION

All communication will be via the RDO. No direct communication is allowed between Referees and the Federations.
All dealings with the media are to be directed to a member of the Executive Committee.
If you are assaulted, have serious trouble or have to abandon a match, you MUST ring the RDO as soon as possible after the incident. A written report of the incident MUST be sent to the Federation the team concerned belongs to, with a copy to the RDO. It is most important that you follow this procedure so that the matter can be dealt with promptly. If you are unable to contact the RDO you should contact another member of the Committee.

1.7) MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall consist of Active, Non-Active and Life membership.
All intending active members shall, before admission to membership, undergo a Level 1 Referees course arranged by the RDO. The applicant shall then be observed, for coaching purposes, under the direction of the RDO and Centre Coach
Intending active members, upon producing relevant credentials from some recognised refereeing authority, may be required to undergo the Level 1 Referees course.
Members may be nominated to the Committee for outstanding service to the Centre.
Notice of intention to propose a Life Member must be in the hands of the RDO no later than 30 December each year. The Committee shall investigate each nomination and submit a verbal report with a recommendation to the Annual General Meeting.
Application or renewal for membership is required to be completed yearly by every member, including existing Life Members, on the approved membership renewal form. Form to be returned immediately to the RDO.
If your details change during the season members are to inform the RDO.
All members, active and non active, have the same rights and privileges.
Membership shall be open to any person who has, or is willing to attain, the necessary qualifications.
Applications for membership are approved by the Executive Committee on an annual basis, 1 April – 31 March.
To transfer to or from another Federation, clearance must be requested from the Federation of which they are currently a member.

1.8) ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

The Executive Committee sets the annual subscriptions.
The membership form asks for consent for membership subscription to be deducted from a members match expenses or alternatively payment to the Treasurer on or before the 30th April each year.
Should payment of the subscription cause any member financial difficulty application should be made, in confidence, to the RDO.

1.9) REFEREE’S UNIFORM and EQUIPMENT

The official New Zealand referee’s uniform is:

Black, yellow or green shirt. All Referees and Assistant Referees appointed to the same match must wear the same colour uniform, (i.e. all in Black or all in the same alternate colour).

Black shorts

Predominantly black footwear

Black socks (all officials must also wear the same colour socks)

The Official Badge must be worn on the left pocket.

T-shirts, skivvies etc. may be worn under the uniform but must be black or white if they can be seen.

Dress trousers/skirt and the polo shirt of the Federation to be worn for all Premier and Northern League matches.

The official referee’s uniform must be worn for all appointments unless directed by New Zealand Soccer.

In addition to the official uniform, referees are required to have:

A reliable watch, preferably a stop watch, if possible carry two (2) watches

A whistle. Carry a second whistle differing in tone or pitch.

A notebook in which to record details of the match.

A Pen and Pencil plus spares readily available.

A Coin.

A set of flags.

Red and Yellow cards.

The Law Book and the Handbook.

Ball pump and pressure gauge.

Special Notes

Keep a record of the details of all your matches until at least the end of the season - you may never know when you may be called on to remember an item of information regarding a match.

Always look respectable, keep your socks pulled up, shirt tucked in and your boots clean.

1.10) APPOINTMENTS

All appointments to any game are to be ratified by the appropriate Appointee.
Any referee who is approached to officiate at any game must contact the appropriate Appointee. Referees may not officiate at unsanctioned fixtures.
Members are obliged to officiate at all matches to which they are appointed. Matches cannot be swapped or transferred to another member, except with the consent of the appropriate Appointee.
Unavailability to officiate must be advised to the RDO or appropriate Appointees, preferably ten (10) days notice. In the event of illness or other unforeseen circumstances, you should contact the Appointees as soon as possible.
If you fail to officiate at your appointed game without having notified the RDO or appropriate appointee, you may be asked to give your reasons at a Committee meeting.

1.11) APPOINTMENT CARDS

Members are required to collect their appointment cards at the weekly meetings.
It is the members responsibility to collect appointments. If exemption from meeting attendance is granted, arrangements will be made for the appointment card to be sent via mail or other means.
If the card is not received by Thursday please contact the Appointees.
All match officials appointment cards are to be signed before the commencement of the match by an official of the home club. The match officials’ appointment cards are then to be returned to the Local Appointees within 21 days following the match.
Blank appointment cards are available from the Appointees.

1.12) MATCH EXPENSES

Match expenses are paid twice a season. Before Christmas, for the period 1 January to 29 September and at the Annual General meeting in March, covering the period 1 October till 31 December.
Failure to return Appointment cards within the required 21 days will result in NO match expense reimbursement for the said game.
All clubs are invoiced upon return of your appointment card.

1.13) FITNESS TEST

Refer Appendix for details. Referees wishing to officiate games from Northern 2nd Division upwards and to complete Level 2 Referees course in order to attain the New Zealand metal badge must complete the required fitness test.

1.14) HANDBOOK

Members of the Centre will be given a handbook.
Updates to the handbook will be given to members from time to time.
The handbook shall contain essential information to assist each member to fulfil his obligations to the Federation and other associated bodies.
It is each member’s responsibility to ensure the handbook is up to date at all times.

COMPETITION

2.1) PROCEDURES PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF A MATCH

Check your equipment before leaving home for the match.
Upon arrival at the ground, the Referee/s shall:

make himself/herself known to the home team officials

locate the Referees room

have the appointment cards signed by home club official

according to the level of the match, approach the team managers to obtain the Team Sheets. For the Northern Soccer League, this must be 30 minutes prior to the kick off.

check the fitness of the field of play prior to the match, even if another Referee has inspected the field for a previous match.

ensure the home team provides match balls. Check the pressure and condition of the balls.

check players' equipment and goalkeeper’s colours

arrange with each team to supply Assistant Referees if none have been appointed.

ensure official’s equipment is secured from theft.

NOTE: Unless absolutely unavoidable, all Referees and Assistant Referees at Senior level should be at the ground at least one (1) hour before the scheduled start time of the match to check the field etc. For Youth level half-hour before kick off.
The Referee shall blow the whistle to call both teams onto the field, approximately five (5) minutes prior to the starting time of the match to complete the pre-match procedures. i.e. introduction of the Assistant Referees and team captains and the toss of the coin.
Should a team start a match short of players, additional players who arrive after the start may join the team, provided they have been listed on the team sheet, to make up the eleven at any time during the match, including extra time if applicable, with the permission of the Referee. The players' equipment are to be inspected prior to them playing in the match.
If the away team fails to appear or does not have the minimum required number of players to field a team (see Appendix), ten (10) minutes grace shall be allowed, for the visiting team only. After the ten minutes grace period, it is not necessary for the team in attendance to kick off. The Referee shall only state that the match cannot proceed due to lack of players. A report on the non-playing of a match in the above circumstances is to be submitted to the Federation and a copy to the RDO.
If your match is called off for any reason (i.e. the match does not proceed), you must not then officiate in any "social match" which may be arranged.
If your match starts late because of any disputes or allowance of grace you must reduce the match equally in each half. (i.e. two equal periods must be played).

2.2) DURATION OF MATCHES

Refer Appendix for details.

2.3) NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Refer Appendix for details.

If a team fails to have the minimum required number of players to field a team, ten (10) minutes grace shall be allowed for the visiting team to arrive or make up the necessary number of players.
If after ten (10) minutes grace the team is still unable to field the required number of players, the match must not proceed. The Referee can only declare that the match is not to proceed and can not declare a "forfeit". The Federation will make decisions on the final outcome. Details regarding the non-playing of the match must be reported to the RDO accordingly.
If a team is reduced to less than seven (7) players through injury, suspension or other cause the match shall be stopped by the Referee and details reported to the Federation and a copy to the RDO.

2.4) SAFETY OF THE GROUND

The Referee has the sole power to decide on the safety of grounds for play in all matches under his control.
Special attention must be made to any unsafe condition (including surface water, exposed sprinkler heads, pot holes etc.) which may exist which could be a danger to players, and/or match officials.
Failure to provide any or all ground markings, corner flags or goal nets must be reported to the appropriate authority.
It is the Referee’s responsibility to check the fitness of the ground prior to starting each match irrespective whether another Referee previously checked the ground

2.5) MISCONDUCT REPORTS

If you have reason to caution or send off a player, a report must be completed on the approved form. See Appendix.
The Reports are to be forwarded by mail to reach the designated Federation within 48 hours of the match.
See Appendix for names and phone numbers.
If misconduct is to be reported on a coach, manager or any other official involved with the team a separate report is to be completed. DO NOT COMPLETE A MISCONDUCT REPORT.
Submissions of accurate reports are vitally important. Lack of information or incorrectly worded reports cause problems for the Federation when attempting to make decisions and hand out fair penalties. Badly complied reports have resulted in players being exonerated when they should be penalized.
When writing reports you should endeavour to provide as much information as possible while only reporting the facts, as this assists the Federation to gain a full understanding of exactly what happened. Avoid expressing opinions, stick to the facts and if you are in doubt as to the appropriate wording of your report, refer it to a senior referee or member of the Executive Committee before sending to the Federation.
Match officials appointed to games are not to discuss any thing with club officials in regards to suspensions of players sent off or players accruing cautions.

2.6) TEAM CARDS

Completed team cards must be handed to club officials after the match. It is only necessary to sign these team cards.

2.7) SPECIAL NOTES

Refer to the Appendix for details of substitutions, etc pertaining to the level of game you have been appointed to.
A Referee who is a player, coach or manager and is suspended from the field or cautioned for dissent whilst participating in a competition match must contact the RDO within 24 hours and notify them of the suspension or caution.
If any Referee has a problem or incident involving spectators, officials or any matter that occurs which they are concerned or worried about before, during or after a match under their control, they must advise a home team official of the nature of the problem. The RDO must also be notified of the incident within 48 hours of the incident.