FAMOA Development Event

There was a FAMOA event last night at WRCFA and I have to say it was the most enjoyable I have attended (I've been to 3 or 4 previously).

This was attributable solely to the speakers, Alan Wilkie (Regional Manager and former Premiership Referee), Mike Riley (Premiership Referee) and Mark Haywood (Football League Referee). The topics covered were DOGSO (AW), Player and Self Management (MR) and Advantage (MH).

If you've ever been to any of the FAMOA events you know how they work - there's an opening blurb about the topic, some short video clips then opportunity for discussion. What made this event different was the relevance to the majority of the people in the room. There was around 90 people there and most were level 5-7, some level 4s and some level 3s.

The speakers, in particular Mark Haywood, tied all their points back to Supply League and Sunday morning football which virtually all of the audience refereed last season. There was no re-inventing the wheel, just honest to goodness advice from colleagues who have been there, done it and got the t-shirt (btdtgtts).

Some highlights for me were AW saying some of his former colleagues in the Prem are making mistakes on DOGSOs, MR admitting he sometimes forgets what he's doing in a game but his training/instinct kicks in and MH's good natured ribbing of assessors. I'm hoping to join their gang (assessors) early next month, but I found myself laughing out loud at some of his outrageous comments. It helped that there was a smattering of assessors in the room and they were cringing at the truth of what was said. MH did finish by reminding everyone that assessors were among the btdtgtts gang, provided very helpful advice for referee development and he appreciated their support which had helped him get to the level he has reached.

It was a good night for all, despite some tech problems and I hope the speakers got good feedback from the County officials present.