Here are some snippets from the RA Council Meting held on 1st and 2nd September

• The RA has written to the FA requesting an annual grant. In response the
• FAs company secretary, Nicholas Coward, has requested to meet with our
• President, Peter Willis, in the near future.
• Ian Butler (National Recruitment & Retention Officer - South) is putting
together a training course for all Retention & Recruitment officers.
• Council has been contacted by Reading University, where the students as
part of their course, are going to examine the RA corporate image. The only
cost to the RA would be those of production, if we chose to accept the
results.
• Membership has shown a 2% increase over the corresponding period for last
year and now stands at 8000.
• There are to be no increases in the prices of RA supplies and all members are
reminded that RA refereeing equipment is excellent value. This year there is
a new flag-bag and a new edition of the FIFA Q & A booklet. Consideration
is being given to stocking a new Casio Sports Timer if costing can be agreed.
The new supplies brochure will be out in October.
• Following a request by the Midlands Division Income Tax regulations are to
be examined and new guidelines will be issued for members.
• Those net savvy members can now visit the new RA web site at
www.footballreferee.org
• The RA has suggested to the FA that 'Advice on the application of the Laws
of the Game' and 'Rules of Small-Side Tournaments' be included in the
LOAF.
• A question was raised by the FA of Wales regarding the legal liability under
Law 5 as to whether the international board decision No.1 would hold
sufficient protection in a court of law. The RA was advised to make
enquiries of it's own solicitors concerning this point. We await further advice
on this matter.
• The Benevolent Fund stood at £116,415.20 at the 31st August 2000. Five
grants had been paid out totaling £3.400.



Check it out

On the local park some leagues will have adopted the new FA League Rules this
season, which govern the running of our local leagues. All leagues must adopt the new rules by next season.  One change that affects referees is the signing of players on the day of the match. Check out your handbooks on this one. If the new rules have been adopted referees do not get involved in the signing on of new players. The procedure will be that the new player signs the form in ink which is countersigned by an officer of his club and witnessed by the team manager or captain of the opposing club. One less job for the hard-pressed referee!

John Brown