Hi guys, hope you've had a great summer. Mine has been very full and interesting with lots of changes to my family life. Well I know what you are thinking now, don't I! You're all the same you lot - you think I've walked out on my better half; don't you? Wrong - she has still got me chained up in a way that even Houdini couldn't slip away from.

Retirement from the police and starting a new self-employed existence are challenging changes to manage. Then our daughter decides to run away to Cambridge University this September. All this should leave me more time to cope with the demands of football administration, but it hasn't!

All summer long I appear to have been bombarded with RA information, most of which is simply filed. Some of the stuff that comes out is important; like the changes to the insurance policy.  Payments to members have been upgraded as follows: -
(1) Loss of limb(s)
(2) Loss of eye(s)
(3) Death = Benefit £20,000
(4) Temporary total disablement = £85.00 per week.
(5) Theft of refereeing equipment = £200.

All RA members between 17 & 75 years inclusive are covered by the policy.
Members aged 14 to 16 will be covered for 1,2,3, & 5.
There is an excess period of 14 days - but always register claims immediately.

The next in service training day - for all classes of referee - will be at Kings College Old Boys Rugby Club, Arthur Road, Motspur Park - 6.45 for a 7.15pm start on 18th October. This training session will cover Recognition of Foul Play and Recognition of Injuries.

I have read and re-read the minutes from the conference held on 17th June. The only practical decision that appeared to be made, was that any members under the age of 18 years on the 1st April, will pay only half the prescribed fee for RA membership, plus VAT - thank you Norwich RA.

You may remember that last season we dedicated a whole evening to discussion on the way forward of the RA and in particular looking at a 'Mission Statement' for the RA. I have been informed that the Consultancy Team had a very encouraging result from the questionnaires they sent out.  A full report should be with council as you read this, and societies should be circulated in October. Any member wanting a copy of the report should be able to purchase it for £5. Council will prepare proposals for the 2001 conference and we can propose amendments as usual.

I am also in possession of the current RA rules for 2000 - 01 and will have a copy of them with me at each meeting.

Last, but not least.  I am desperately short of referees this season for the Sutton & District League. If any of you can help out on an odd Saturday I would be most grateful. Just give me a quick call - I can probably get you a game even as late as Saturday morning!

John Brown (Secretary)