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This is the first of a two-part article about refereeing abroad based on my own personal experiences. Part I will take a look at matters of general interest covering; the background of how I came to referee abroad, the location and venues, fellow officials and the benefits. Part II is going to focus on the differences between refereeing at home and overseas, discuss the different approach taken to referee recruitment and training overseas, and developing relationships with overseas referees.
I came to referee abroad having met a former London FA referee called Matthew Day, who some of you reading this may know, and he told me that he was going to set up a website called ‘Tournaments Abroad’ with a colleague. The site would create ties with tournaments all around the world (very much a Ronseal website name as you can see), put up information about each and assist referees in applying to officiate. He convinced me that I should look into refereeing at one of the tournaments as he had found the experience to be unique and invaluable in developing his abilities as both a referee and assistant.
A few months later, whilst having an enforced year off my legal career due to the economy, Matthew emailed and told me the site was up and running. I logged on, registered and having considered many different tournaments and locations chose to take part in the 2010 Copa Maresme in April, which was run by an organisation called Komm-Mit based in Germany. The tournament itself would be taking place on the Spanish coast near Barcelona, and involve boys and girls teams from ages U11 to U19 from all around the world, but primarily mainland Europe. As a referee you would be provided with free transfers to and from the airport, free hotel accommodation and meals for the 4 days of the tournament, a fee for the week and sunshine! All you had to pay for were your flights and spending money, what wasn’t to like?!
The venues used in the area were highly impressive. There was a ‘showpiece’ stadium used for the opening ceremony, opening game and the finals which belonged to the local club and a number of other venues all within 30 minutes of the hotel for the other games. Referees would be put in different groups each day and sent to a specific venue for that day, officiating between three and five forty-minute games. What surprised me the most was that all the venues used were very new with bright clean changing rooms and all had 3G Astroturf pitches rather than grass. The pitches made for quick, skilful and passing-based football, which were both a challenge and a joy to referee. Perhaps most surprising, from an English referee/football supporter perspective, was that all these shiny new venues had been paid for primarily by the local authority, rather than the Spanish FA. Clearly they know how initial investment in good clean facilities and top class (yet low maintenance) pitches encourage young footballers to get involved and develop in the right way. Bear in mind this was not in the middle of the city of Barcelona, it was a relatively quiet area on the coast.
Although I was a level 7 referee I was told at the tournament briefing for officials that all referees would be judged on performance over the week, regardless of previous involvement with the organisation or experience in your home country. Referees came from all over Europe (although I was the only English one) and there is clearly some weight and gravitas to ‘The FA’ brand and badge as I was the surprise choice to referee the opening game of the tournament and show what I could do! Well obviously I was chuffed, it was in a proper stadium with a decent crowd following the opening ceremony, and although I had officiated in a cup final in the past this was right up there in terms of pressure and importance. I was assisted by a young referee from Italy called Andrea and a more senior referee from Germany called Albert. It was an U15 group game between German and Egyptian teams which ended 1-1 and was highly enjoyable. Further I received positive feedback from my assistants and the tournament organisers, so a good start all round.
Between then and the finals day, 4 days later, I refereed a further 10 games of varying age groups, both boys and girls, which having not refereed much youth football prior to the tournament provided me a new experience. From actually refereeing the games the biggest challenge, and steepest learning curve, was officiating players whose language I didn’t speak. Having played rugby union for some time prior to taking up the whistle 3 years ago, one of my main tools of control when refereeing at home is constant communication with the players, more so than most. However by not speaking the lingo this tool was blunted. I quickly had to adjust my style to incorporate more extravagant signalling and gesturing, playing less advantage and showing more cards. I began to appreciate why top referees in England appear to referee slightly differently, often seemingly more harshly, in European or International matches. The second area where I learned a great deal, during the breaks I had between games, was by watching the refereeing styles of officials from different countries. I will come back to this in more depth in Part II of this article.
Finals day came and I felt the 4 days had gone well professionally, despite the challenges I outlined previously, and personally with the organisers and fellow referees. Therefore I was hopeful of getting appointed to one of the finals. Thankfully my hunch was right and I took the flag for the boys U17 final, the penultimate one of the day. The game was incident free and later in the evening the closing ceremony, and a few beers, were enjoyed by all the organisers and referees. I left the next day knowing I had made important ties and friendships and had improved vastly as a referee all round (and got a nice tan in to the bargain). As I said my goodbyes and boarded the plane there was no doubt in mind that I would referee in another tournament abroad very soon. Indeed I am taking part in the Lisbon Cup in June, which includes youth teams from Liverpool, Marseille, Valencia and Vasco da Gama to name but a few.
Whatever your age and experience I hope this has sparked some enthusiasm to get your kitbag and board a plane in the near future, I guarantee you will be a better referee for it and most importantly have some great fun. Thanks for reading and I look forward to delivering Part II after Lisbon.
I came to referee abroad having met a former London FA referee called Matthew Day, who some of you reading this may know, and he told me that he was going to set up a website called ‘Tournaments Abroad’ with a colleague. The site would create ties with tournaments all around the world (very much a Ronseal website name as you can see), put up information about each and assist referees in applying to officiate. He convinced me that I should look into refereeing at one of the tournaments as he had found the experience to be unique and invaluable in developing his abilities as both a referee and assistant.
A few months later, whilst having an enforced year off my legal career due to the economy, Matthew emailed and told me the site was up and running. I logged on, registered and having considered many different tournaments and locations chose to take part in the 2010 Copa Maresme in April, which was run by an organisation called Komm-
The venues used in the area were highly impressive. There was a ‘showpiece’ stadium used for the opening ceremony, opening game and the finals which belonged to the local club and a number of other venues all within 30 minutes of the hotel for the other games. Referees would be put in different groups each day and sent to a specific venue for that day, officiating between three and five forty-
Although I was a level 7 referee I was told at the tournament briefing for officials that all referees would be judged on performance over the week, regardless of previous involvement with the organisation or experience in your home country. Referees came from all over Europe (although I was the only English one) and there is clearly some weight and gravitas to ‘The FA’ brand and badge as I was the surprise choice to referee the opening game of the tournament and show what I could do! Well obviously I was chuffed, it was in a proper stadium with a decent crowd following the opening ceremony, and although I had officiated in a cup final in the past this was right up there in terms of pressure and importance. I was assisted by a young referee from Italy called Andrea and a more senior referee from Germany called Albert. It was an U15 group game between German and Egyptian teams which ended 1-
Between then and the finals day, 4 days later, I refereed a further 10 games of varying age groups, both boys and girls, which having not refereed much youth football prior to the tournament provided me a new experience. From actually refereeing the games the biggest challenge, and steepest learning curve, was officiating players whose language I didn’t speak. Having played rugby union for some time prior to taking up the whistle 3 years ago, one of my main tools of control when refereeing at home is constant communication with the players, more so than most. However by not speaking the lingo this tool was blunted. I quickly had to adjust my style to incorporate more extravagant signalling and gesturing, playing less advantage and showing more cards. I began to appreciate why top referees in England appear to referee slightly differently, often seemingly more harshly, in European or International matches. The second area where I learned a great deal, during the breaks I had between games, was by watching the refereeing styles of officials from different countries. I will come back to this in more depth in Part II of this article.
Finals day came and I felt the 4 days had gone well professionally, despite the challenges I outlined previously, and personally with the organisers and fellow referees. Therefore I was hopeful of getting appointed to one of the finals. Thankfully my hunch was right and I took the flag for the boys U17 final, the penultimate one of the day. The game was incident free and later in the evening the closing ceremony, and a few beers, were enjoyed by all the organisers and referees. I left the next day knowing I had made important ties and friendships and had improved vastly as a referee all round (and got a nice tan in to the bargain). As I said my goodbyes and boarded the plane there was no doubt in mind that I would referee in another tournament abroad very soon. Indeed I am taking part in the Lisbon Cup in June, which includes youth teams from Liverpool, Marseille, Valencia and Vasco da Gama to name but a few.
Whatever your age and experience I hope this has sparked some enthusiasm to get your kitbag and board a plane in the near future, I guarantee you will be a better referee for it and most importantly have some great fun. Thanks for reading and I look forward to delivering Part II after Lisbon.
Kevin Carpenter
February 2011 ©
Refereeing Abroad
Part I – The Experience