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Author Topic: 20/21 NLS restructuring  (Read 1965 times)

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lincs22

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20/21 NLS restructuring
« on: Wed 20 Nov 2019 13:14 »
An email from the FA about potential changes in refereeing structure following the changes to the NLS for 20/21. Anybody got any further information?

Changes to National League System/Refereeing Pyramid – Season 2020/21

 
As many of you will be aware, the on-going restructure of the National League System will be completed in readiness for the start of season 2020/21. These changes will result in the creation of a “pure” football pyramid from Step 1-Step 6, including the creation of additional divisions at Step 3, Step 4 and Step 5, and the repositioning of what is currently Step 7 outside of the System to be known as ‘Regional NLS Feeder Leagues’ – this bridging the gap between County and National League System football.

These changes have necessitated a review of the refereeing structure. During this review it has become apparent that the refereeing pyramid will need to adapt to the changing football environment to ensure consistency of appointments both in terms of the type/balance of appointment (referee v assistant referee) and the level of match officials used on a particular step in the National League System.

As a consequence, the FA Referees’ Committee unanimously agreed to changes to align the refereeing pyramid as closely as possible with the National League System and thereby provide a consistent environment for referees operating at a specified level, whilst aiming to retain accessibility for referees nationwide.

Discussions are taking place to finalise the necessary changes and we will be communicating directly with impacted parties (leagues, match officials, County FAs) in December, both on a national and regional basis. In addition to written correspondence, we will be holding face to face meetings.

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Maltese Falcon

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #1 on: Wed 20 Nov 2019 14:33 »
Very interesting indeed.  Was at an FA training event within the last couple of weeks and nothing was mentioned.  Sounds like they intend greater consistency across the country with regard to the Step that officials of a certain level referee at.  At the moment there's a marked disparity, especially around Steps 3-5.  Could also be that we get 3 and 4 A & Bs in the same way as we have 2A & B.  Will have to wait and see!

ajb95

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #2 on: Wed 20 Nov 2019 17:47 »
Very interesting indeed.  Was at an FA training event within the last couple of weeks and nothing was mentioned.  Sounds like they intend greater consistency across the country with regard to the Step that officials of a certain level referee at.  At the moment there's a marked disparity, especially around Steps 3-5.  Could also be that we get 3 and 4 A & Bs in the same way as we have 2A & B.  Will have to wait and see!

Or maybe we could do what other leagues do where you referee at one level and then move up to the next step (league) when promoted!?

rustyref

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #3 on: Wed 20 Nov 2019 21:06 »
There's currently an inconsistency as to what steps level 3 and 4s do across the country.  In most of the southern leagues step 5 is refereed by level 4s and steps 4 and 3 are refereed by level 3s.  In some leagues though, such as the Eastern Counties, and some leagues in the North I believe, step 5 is refereed by L3s with L4s refereeing at step 6.  This has always struck me as grossly unfair and uneven, especially at L3 where it is a single merit table countrywide, as that merit table is comparing people refereeing at step 3 with those refereeing at step 5.

I would guess this change will sort that discrepancy out.
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Ref Watcher

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #4 on: Thu 21 Nov 2019 10:08 »
I don't see the point of this email.  It says nothing substantive before saying changes will be announced next month.  Why not just say nothing until then instead of prompting a heap of speculation beforehand?
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lincs22

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #5 on: Thu 21 Nov 2019 14:18 »
There's currently an inconsistency as to what steps level 3 and 4s do across the country.  In most of the southern leagues step 5 is refereed by level 4s and steps 4 and 3 are refereed by level 3s.  In some leagues though, such as the Eastern Counties, and some leagues in the North I believe, step 5 is refereed by L3s with L4s refereeing at step 6.  This has always struck me as grossly unfair and uneven, especially at L3 where it is a single merit table countrywide, as that merit table is comparing people refereeing at step 3 with those refereeing at step 5.

I would guess this change will sort that discrepancy out.

At what level are the supply leagues nationally?

In Yorkshire, the Supply leagues are 3 * Step 7 (which is one pool) + 1 division at Step 6 (with its own pool of referees). I think that it is similar with the North West Counties and the Northern league.

Which step 5 leagues are covered by L4 as opposed to L3's?

Conkernut

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #6 on: Thu 21 Nov 2019 16:39 »

United Counties League (Supply) which is made up of teams mainly from Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire has level 4's in the middle for the Premier division

ajb95

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #7 on: Thu 21 Nov 2019 16:47 »
There's currently an inconsistency as to what steps level 3 and 4s do across the country.  In most of the southern leagues step 5 is refereed by level 4s and steps 4 and 3 are refereed by level 3s.  In some leagues though, such as the Eastern Counties, and some leagues in the North I believe, step 5 is refereed by L3s with L4s refereeing at step 6.  This has always struck me as grossly unfair and uneven, especially at L3 where it is a single merit table countrywide, as that merit table is comparing people refereeing at step 3 with those refereeing at step 5.

I would guess this change will sort that discrepancy out.

At what level are the supply leagues nationally?

In Yorkshire, the Supply leagues are 3 * Step 7 (which is one pool) + 1 division at Step 6 (with its own pool of referees). I think that it is similar with the North West Counties and the Northern league.

Which step 5 leagues are covered by L4 as opposed to L3's?

You are correct lincs22.

North west counties div 1 north and south are step 6 has its own refs. But also there is a larger combined pool covering manchester Liverpool and Chester which are all level 4s but are refereeing step 7 matches.
Level 3 goes from the evo-stik premier all the way down to north west counties prem

Maltese Falcon

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #8 on: Thu 21 Nov 2019 16:58 »
In and around London, Level 3s are (I believe) solely covering Step 3 and 4 matches.  So, as a Level 4 you cover Supply League games (Step 5), then, after promotion you cut your teeth on Division One games on the Isthmian and Southern leagues (Step 4) before graduating to the Premier divisions (Step 3).

Having now checked, there are currently only 5 Supply Leagues officiated by Level 3 referees .. Eastern Counties Prem, North West Counties Prem, Northern Counties East Prem, Western League Prem and Northern League Division One 
« Last Edit: Fri 22 Nov 2019 11:38 by Maltese Falcon »
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rustyref

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #9 on: Sun 24 Nov 2019 22:48 »
In and around London, Level 3s are (I believe) solely covering Step 3 and 4 matches.  So, as a Level 4 you cover Supply League games (Step 5), then, after promotion you cut your teeth on Division One games on the Isthmian and Southern leagues (Step 4) before graduating to the Premier divisions (Step 3).

Having now checked, there are currently only 5 Supply Leagues officiated by Level 3 referees .. Eastern Counties Prem, North West Counties Prem, Northern Counties East Prem, Western League Prem and Northern League Division One

And that is fundamentally wrong, it isn't fair to compare L3s in a national merit table when some are refereeing step 5 and some are refereeing step 3.
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AFAref

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #10 on: Tue 26 Nov 2019 18:20 »

Having now checked, there are currently only 5 Supply Leagues officiated by Level 3 referees .. Eastern Counties Prem, North West Counties Prem, Northern Counties East Prem, Western League Prem and Northern League Division One

All anomalies in sense of location and the reason why these leagues were given this status for referees. Even with the extra leagues at step 3 and 4, there would still be too much travelling for officials in these extremities for official's, or, they only get a game every 4 to 6 weeks invariably at the same club/few clubs and that can’t be right for a merit table either
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Carter

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #11 on: Mon 16 Dec 2019 20:46 »
Well the info is now out

All step 5's & 6' will now be supply leagues with L4 refs, and god knows waht level on the line

L3 will ref Steps 3's & 4's

I forsee a lot of spare weekends next season for both levels in some geographical areas

ajb95

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #12 on: Mon 16 Dec 2019 22:17 »
Well the info is now out

All step 5's & 6' will now be supply leagues with L4 refs, and god knows waht level on the line

L3 will ref Steps 3's & 4's

I forsee a lot of spare weekends next season for both levels in some geographical areas

Particular the midlands which has lost its supply league status!

lincs22

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #13 on: Tue 17 Dec 2019 08:59 »
All step 5's & 6' will now be supply leagues with L4 refs, and god knows what level on the line
It will be whatever they get - so likely to be L5 & L6's on promotion track. So as JCFC moans about the NWC Div 1 being the league of old AR's; he can add NWC Prem as well next year.

It will be interesting to see what the Step 5 club feel about the perceived drop in refereeing standard to L4.

Also, note that some Step 6 league in the South lose their supply league status (so no L4's) on them but a couple of league (currently Step 7) in the North will retain their Supply league status in the short-term to ensure that the referees have sufficient coverage.

JCFC

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Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
« Reply #14 on: Tue 17 Dec 2019 12:15 »
Apologies for my "moans" on the subject of the League of Aged Assistants - they were meant as whimsical observations, though I do plead guilty to moaning about Northern rail.

There could be problems ahead: the NCEFL has occasionally had difficulty in finding Level 4s to cover Step 6 matches. I recall several years ago being surprised to find Luke Watson refereeing one such early season game at Emley, and feared that he must have been demoted - happily not the case. One aforementioned Aged Assistant was recently listed as referee in one NCEFL Step 6 game. I was almost tempted to head to Penistone a fortnight ago, when a liked Level 2b referee was appointed to their Step 5 game. Quite how they will be able to find Level 4s to cover their top division as well remains uncertain.
« Last Edit: Tue 17 Dec 2019 13:48 by JCFC »
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