Following the sad news of Alan’s death in early January, we can announce that funeral arrangements have now been made
Alan Dennison receiving the first Lol Cussons award from Chairman John Ledgeway and Lol’s son Dave on 11 Feb 2011
Funeral
Wednesday 24 January 2024
10am
at St Paulinas RC Church
Monkton Road, York, Yo31 9AX
Invitations afterwards at New Earswick Bowls Club, York, YO32
Alan’s wife, Patricia, would be delighted if Alan can have a good send off
All are welcome
FA Referee Awards at Club Wembley – 5 June 2023
The National FA asked for nominations for 12 prestigious awards and David King was nominated for a “Lifetime Achievement Award” to refereeing
This award is for someone in the refereeing community who has made an outstanding contribution to the development, administration and servicing of officiating and who has made a career-long contribution to refereeing, creating a legacy of improved outcomes for individuals, communities, and the wider population
Along with many others he travelled to Wembley on the 5 June (his birthday) with his wife, Yvonne
At the dinner on the evening David was awarded a “Lifetime Achievement” Award from the FA….to his surprise; a day not to be forgotten
David was very humbled by this tremendous award for over 50 years service to refereeing including mentoring, observing, tutoring, coaching, etc and still continues today
York RA wishes all members, referees and families a Happy Christmas……
Hope you get plenty of cards!
Little did I know when accepting the position of Chairman at the 2019 AGM that the world would change!
Indeed, as I enter my 3rd Term of Office, I have yet to experience the wonderful occasion of the Annual Dinner where I could delight in recognising the yearly achievements of all our Match Officials.
Although the pandemic is not fully under control, as a committee we now feel more safe and secure to recommence face to face monthly meetings and I am eagerly awaiting our first meeting of the new season which will be held at York Hospital Club on Thursday 2nd September 2021.
Given what has happened over the past 18 months, it has been difficult to motivate and inspire colleagues. Some will have found other interests and hobbies and others will have simply moved on in their personal circumstances.
However, at York RA we have a dedicated Team of Officials who have maintained a high level of interest over these difficult times and as a committee, we are keen to bring back good times.
We pride ourselves on being able to encourage top quality guest speakers to our meetings and we are always seeking out ways to entertain, educate and put together a meeting content which will aide the development of all Match Officials/Mentors/Observers and others interested in Refereeing.
I am confident that as we move forward and the new season evolves, enthusiasm for Football at local level will rise back up and our game will see many of you regain the enjoyment of Refereeing and get back on the progression ladder, in hope of achieving your full potential.
We here at York RA are committed to helping each one of you derive much enjoyment from your games and our meetings are designed to build on the superb work of the NRCFA but doing so in a relaxed, informal and enjoyable setting.
It is my hope, as we get back to all things normal, that we can build up our membership for the benefit of our membership where all will be welcome, particularly our Junior Referees and their parents.
So, as I enter my 3rd term, looking forward to the dinner next year, can I encourage you to come along to our meetings, enjoy yourselves and learn a little along the way.
I wish you all a successful Season and I look forward to meeting you and sharing your company in due course.
Best Wishes.
Alan
Alan Kaye, Chairman
York Referees’Association
Information you may find useful……from the RA
A night with the Elite: In collaborationwith Give To Local – Refereeing Webinar 15th April 6PM-8PM
A young referee from Durham has arranged the below and attached event. I would be grateful if you could distribute to your membership and include the below bullet points in the email (please note that the bullet points are taken directly from Joe Blackbourne’s email, who is the organiser of the event).
The event has some outstanding guest speakers and is supporting the If U Care Share Charity.
Well, we are back with Grassroots football……..
The Government / FA have announced that as from 29 March 2021, games are allowed at grassroots level and from 12 April begins step 2 of the roadmap
The full FA Guidance can be found here, with more reference for Match Officials…..basically as before with protocols such as washing hands, social distancing, etc. Go to matches changed and shower at home
Guidance has therefore been updated to reflect the changes to national restrictions. The key changes to note are in relation to spectators, use of changing rooms and outdoor hospitality
Travel
As organised sport can resume, all participants may travel to games but should avoid travel at the busiest times and routes, as well as minimising any unnecessary journeys where possible. All participants must follow the Government’s guidance on safer travel. Participants should note that this guidance will be updated as we move through the different steps of the Government’s roadmap. All participants should therefore regularly review this guidance to make sure they are following up to date information
Changing rooms
Changing rooms can be used as part of step two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. However, participants should minimise their use of changing facilities where possible. Toilets will be allowed to open, 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after training and/or matches
Spectators
On 7 April, the Government updated its guidance in relation to spectators. This confirms that at Step Two and Step One B, spectators are not permitted to attend sporting events taking place on private land, other than adults needed to supervise U18s that they have a responsibility for or providing care or assistance to a person with disabilities. They should maintain social distance and not mix with other households. This does not prevent people from viewing recreational or organised sport that is taking place in a public space, e.g. a park, at Step One B or Step Two, in groups of up to six people or two households. However, sporting events that are intended to attract spectators (including ticketed football matches), or events that are likely to attract a significant number of spectators (e.g. matches that would attract a large crowd) should not take place in a public space, or on private land, until step three
Parents/Carers
Where clubs and facilities can accommodate this safely, parents and carers are permitted to be present at football activities, although they must observe the relevant Government COVID-19 guidance, including those on gathering limits for spectators
Indoor football
As part of step two of the Government’s roadmap, indoor football for U18s can take place in line with Department for Education and Out of School Setting guidance. All participants should read and follow this guidance for all indoor football activities
Disabled people can take part in organised outdoor and indoor football without being subject to social contact limits
Indoor football for adults is not currently allowed. This is planned to return no earlier than Monday 17 May for adults, as part of step three of the Government’s roadmap
Outdoor hospitality
As part of step two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, outdoor hospitality at grassroots football is permitted. All participants must follow Government guidance on hospitality settings and specific advice for sport facility operators available on the Government’s website. People using clubhouses and hospitality facilities must adhere to legal gathering limits and wider Government guidance. Please note that while outdoor hospitality is permitted, spectators are not allowed at games unless on public land
This guidance applies to all youth and adult football and Futsal, including all formats of the game. If there are any further updates from the Government, we will communicate these in due course and we’ll continue to update our guidance as we move through the different steps of the roadmap out of lockdown
It’s extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers continue to strictly follow both the UK Government’s latest guidance on COVID-19 and respective bespoke guidance documents from the FA. Any incidents of non-compliance will be reported to the local County Football Association
The full government guidance can be found here
stay safe…….
The FA has on 4 January 2021 issued further guidance regarding Non-elite football
Essentially local grassroots football has been suspended
The full statement is below:
As a result, the impact on ‘non elite’ football in England will include the suspension of fixtures and training across the following, with immediate effect:
It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the UK Government’s new national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and we implore everyone to follow these.
Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County FAs and we will provide further updates for the 2020/21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and ‘non-elite’ football when relevant.
We would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society.
Remember you are not alone and if you need any help you can contact York RA on your County FA
You can finds further guidance from the FA on Referees Mental Health via the link below, including further guidance notes
Mental health guidance for referees (thefa.com)
Also there is a variety of information online; the NHS have some help with wellbeing – Every Mind Matters | One You (www.nhs.uk)
Stay safe and positive……
May we wish you all a Happy Christmas 2020
Christmas is Offside, Var gIves red carD
Make the best you can of the situation and come back stronger in 2021
Dear Friends, members of York RA and all of you connected to Refereeing.
As the Season unfolds, we seem to be heading for a further ‘Footy Lockdown.’
Certainly, the Professional Game has been given the go ahead to continue, albeit in surreal circumstances with crowds not permitted, but what about our local football?
As I write, we all await the decision of government regarding local football and without being too despondent, I fear we will see the temporary postponement of many local games, both Saturday and Sunday (now confirmed)
So, what are we to do in these trying times?
Well, firstly, go along with the decisions of those in power and stay safe by looking after yourself and your families. For those of you active officials, I would encourage you to get out whenever and wherever you can to maintain a good state of fitness in readiness for the resumption, when safe to do so of course.
Our mental health is vital and keeping fit is one way to combat many issues which could have a negative effect upon our wellbeing.
For me, whilst a dodgy knee prevents my pursuit of an Olympic 10,000m Gold Medal, swimming has been my lifeline. For now, the walking boots are out and ready to roam our wonderful North Yorkshire countryside.
So, we here at York RA have been pondering how best to help and support you whilst in lockdown.
No easy answers other than to let you know that we are here and available to answer your calls and help in any way we can. We have a great wealth of experience on the committee with members willing and able to be at your disposal for help, advice and support. Our contact details can be found on the York RA website, do not hesitate to call. (www.yorkreferee.co.uk)
Nationally, the RA is still active via Zoom meetings and recently has put on some great sessions with high profile Referees and other athletes, Indeed the next Zoom will be a presentation with Howard Webb…..heard of that guy somewhere! Check out the National RA Website for details of this and forthcoming events which, due to demand you need to get in early and book your spot. (https://www.the-ra.org/).
Also, whilst in lockdown, membership of the National & Local RA covers you for Insurance purposes and there is a wide range of benefits to members some of which, particularly if you are furloughed or otherwise in some financial difficulty, may be of benefit.
We have considered further monthly Zoom/Teams Meetings but our scheduled meeting for this Thursday (5th) has unfortunately had to be cancelled.
I would invite you all to write to me personally or any member of the Committee with ideas on what you wish to see via Zoom/Teams sessions over the coming months. What can we do to stimulate and help keep you motivated and prepared to see the season to a conclusion?
Our hope is that once Christmas passes, there may be some return to normality and if so, we can get back to live monthly meetings and prepare for the annual dinner, which incidentally is a great event at the end of May and one which would give us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all our Match Officials and those who offer support in other ways over the past 2 seasons.
So, get in touch, share your ideas, tell us how we can best support you but, more importantly, look after yourself, look after your families, stay safe and remain optimistic that we will beat this awful virus and although life as we knew it may never be the same, we can adapt and ‘get on with the game.’
I wish you all well.
Alan
Alan Kaye
Chairman
York RA
07789 005327
The Football Association [The FA] has provided an update for ‘non-elite’ football in England following the UK Government’s announcement on new national Covid-19 restrictions that will be in place from Thursday 5 November 2020 until Wednesday 2 December 2020.
As a result of the UK Government’s new national Covid-19 restrictions, and subject to Members of Parliament voting tomorrow [Wednesday 4 November 2020] and the publication of bespoke guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport [DCMS], the impact on ‘non elite’ football in England will include the suspension of the following during this period:
• All fixtures and training for Steps 3-6 of the National League System [NLS];
• All fixtures and training for Tiers 3-7 of the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP];
• All fixtures and training for the Regional NLS Feeder Leagues;
• All fixtures and training for The Barclays FA WSL Academy League;
• All fixtures and training for FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs;
• All fixtures and training for indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football.
The FA’s aim is to ensure that the 2020/21 season is completed at these levels and will liaise with the relevant leagues in the NLS and WFP and the County Football Associations [CFAs] to provide support and establish appropriate options to do so if required.
The UK Government has confirmed that school sport can continue as an exemption during this period.
In addition, the UK Government has confirmed that all Emirates FA Cup First Round fixtures will go ahead as planned this weekend between Friday 6 and Monday 9 November 2020. The ten ‘non-elite’ clubs that remain in the competition will be able to play their fixtures under ‘elite’ protocols. In line with the new national Covid-19 restrictions, these ‘non-elite’ teams are only permitted to train together until Wednesday 4 November 2020.
Further updates on fixtures and dates for the 2020/21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, The FA Youth Cup, Buildbase FA Trophy and Buildbase FA Vase will follow in due course.
Re-starting football at these levels has taken substantial determination and commitment from stakeholders across the game and The FA would like to thank everyone for their vital contributions. However, health and wellbeing remain the priority, so it is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the UK Government’s new national COVID-19 restrictions during this period.
The FA remains in dialogue with the DCMS, leagues, competitions and CFAs and will provide further clarification for ‘non-elite’ football in England following the House of Commons decision.