From aa8f82c5aa74f27ad6592b7b1b9a461853429dec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Peter Topp Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2016 00:13:36 +1000 Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?Referee=20Commision=20Policy:=20Word=20?= =?UTF-8?q?=E2=86=92=20Markdown?= MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Direct conversion of document provided in Microsoft Word format to Markdown. --- _policy/referees.md | 451 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 442 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-) diff --git a/_policy/referees.md b/_policy/referees.md index 5851ced..fc3197c 100644 --- a/_policy/referees.md +++ b/_policy/referees.md @@ -1,15 +1,448 @@ --- -title: Referees Commission Policies -layout: default +title: Referees Commission Policy -approval_authority: -responsible_officer: -first_approved: null -last_amended: null +approval_authority: President +responsible_officer: Sport Development Director +first_approved: 2010-04-08 +last_amended: 2016-09-01 effective_date: null -review_date: null +review_date: 2017-10-01 --- -# FIT Referees Commission Policies +# FIT Referees Commission Policy -These policies are under review by the Referees Commission and FIT Board. +## Introduction + +### Background + +The Federation of International Touch (FIT) is the governing body for Touch globally and manages all +aspects of the sport. Referees, their education and training, development, ethics and behaviour are +essential components of the sport and are critical to effective progress. A set of policies is +required to ensure that the refereeing arm remains healthy, effective and in a positive state of +regular development. + +### Aim + +The aim of this document is to detail the policy by which the refereeing arm of Touch is managed +within and under the guidelines of FIT. + +### Authority + +This Referee Policy has been developed by the FIT Referee Commission and is published with the +approval and endorsement of the FIT Board. + +### Review + +This FIT Referees Policy is a dynamic document. It requires review to ensure that it remains both +current and applicable. The FIT Referees Commission is to review the policy annually. All +recommended amendments are to be submitted to the Federation Board for endorsement. + +## Appointment of the FIT Referee Director of Referees & FIT Referee Commission + +### Appointment Protocol + +The following details apply to the appointment of the FIT Referee Director and to the +appointments of FIT Referee Commission Members: + +1. The term of appointment shall be from the date of approved by the FIT Board to one month after + the next election of Board members at the World Cup (approximately four year cycle). + Appointments made during the four year cycle and between Annual General Meetings will conclude + as per the timeframe detailed above. In the event that the FIT Board does not appoint the FIT + Referee Director and FIT Referee Commission Members prior to the expiry of the terms of + appointment, the FIT Referee Director and FIT Referee Commission Members will continue in office + past any expiry date of appointment to maintain continuity of service until the FIT Board makes + new appointments. +2. The respective appointment period commences post World Cup e.g. from World Cup 2015 in Australia + (May 2015) through to the 2019 World Cup. +3. Nominations should be endorsed by the Nominee's Member NTA (President, Chairperson, or CEO) OR + maybe endorsed by regional members of the Nominee's NTA, such as Regional President, Chairperson + or CEO. +4. Nominations must be submitted to the FIT Secretary General via email to : + secretary‑general@internationaltouch.org +5. Successful applicants will receive letters of appointment from the Secretary-General of FIT + following initial telephone or e-mail confirmation. +6. The FIT Board will determine the process of appointment for the FIT Director of Referees and + Commission Members taking into account the requirement for a cost efficient and effective + process of appointment to be used. This could include (but should not be limited to) an + appointment being made on the basis of application only without interview or an interview via a + telecommunications method. +7. Application for the above position will be advertised on the FIT website. All policy documents + will be available on the FIT website. + +### FIT Director of Referees Selection Criteria + +The following are selection criteria for the FIT Referee Director: + +1. Would be expected to have coached at National / High Performance level for minimum five (5) + years including significant exposure to selection and coaching of international referees, as + well as having observed and coached at international events. +2. Demonstrates a capacity to exercise mature judgment and participate in impartial assessment of + Referees from all Member NTA's. +3. Possess maturity, self confidence and tact, and the ability to deal effectively with Referees, + Players and Officials at all levels. +4. Be available to undertake courses, seminars, lectures etc, so as to be able understand the needs + of Member countries. Implement strategies for the development of referees and referee coaches, + globally as per the FIT Strategic Plan and Priorities.. +5. Implement strategies for the implementation and ongoing development of referee personnel, + globally as per the FIT Strategic Plan and Priorities. +6. Must possess knowledge of the standards and behaviour expected of a FIT official and or + representative, and an acceptance of these standards as set out in the FIT Code of Conduct i.e. a + reference point for the standards. +7. Must possess a minimum of an Advanced Elite Certificate such as: +8. TFA Level 4 Referees Coaching Certificate; +9. TNZ Level 4 Referees Coaching Certificate; or +10. An accepted recognized equivalent within the Member NTA. +11. Possess the ability to communicate effectively with a national or international body of referees + to update on current issues, trends and to disseminate information. +12. Constantly revise the delivery of Referee Badge Level Courses and Referee Coaching Courses for + distribution globally. +13. Regularly update all Member NTA's with any advancement in referee coaching techniques and/or + trends. +14. Coordinate FIT Referee Commission Member visits and expected outcomes to Member NTA's. +15. Implement a succession plan to develop referees and referee coaches, globally. +16. Is a volunteer and not in the employment of FIT or any Member NTA. +17. Must be non active as a referee (unless the appointment is to an Associate position for + developmental purposes. +18. An outline role description for the FIT Director of Referees is attached as Appendix 1. + +### FIT Referee Commission Member Appointment & Criteria + +1. The FIT Director of Referees and FIT Referees Commission Members are expected to be volunteers + of the sport and should not hold a full or part time position with any Member NTA. However, if a + Member NTA has a full or part time employee in the refereeing arm, that respective NTA can apply + to the FIT Secretary General to have the employee attend any FIT sanctioned event to use for + referee assessment, coaching and developmental purposes. +2. It is envisaged that the Commission structure will contain a minimum of one Australian and one + New Zealand Member for the next five to ten years. It is further planned to have Commission + Members strategically placed through Asia, Europe and United Kingdom. +3. The role description for the FIT Referee Commission Member is attached as Appendix 2. +4. The FIT Referee Director will determine in consultation with the Secretary-General of FIT, the + FIT Referee Commission Member composition for Federation events. This takes into account that + team entries for a particular event and the costs involved in attending will need to be + considered in making a determination. An appointment to the FIT Referees Commission does not + automatically mean that s/he will attend all Federation events as FIT Referees Commission + Members. + +### Associate FIT Referee Commission Member + +An Associate Commission member can be appointed to work with the FIT Referees Commission for +purposes of development through their region and country. This person/s may still be an active +referee and will be developed and future orientated by the FIT Referees Commission to fulfill the +set criteria toward a full member. This provision is for Member Nations outside of Australia and New +Zealand. his person would need to be nominated by the FIT Director of Referees after consultation +with the FIT Referees Commission members and endorsed by the FIT Board of Directors. + +## FIT Referee Criteria + +### Definition + +A FIT Referee would be considered to be a referee nominated by a Member NTA to officiate at a +Federation Event. Federation Events are described in FIT Operational Policy No 1 - Classification of +Events. + +### FIT Referee Criteria + +To be considered for duties at a Federation Event a referee must meet the following standards: + +1. Be of peak physical fitness prior to nomination to any FIT event/tournament. This would be + irrespective of gender in either category being, Open or Senior. +2. Possess a complete knowledge of the rules of the game and how to apply them. Further to this, + the referee must have the ability to adapt to any by laws or tournament rule amendments + introduced by FIT. +3. Possess the ability to manage players, coaches and officials at all times, both on and off + field. +4. Must commit to officiate solely as a Referee at FIT sanctioned events. (i.e. Non Playing) +5. Assist in the coaching, organization and development of Touch Referees within their + nation/region. +6. Assist the FIT Director of Referees in the conducting of rules lectures, seminars and + examinations in their respective nation/region. +7. Be the type of person who will always be a good ambassador for FIT and FIT Referees as stated in + the Code of Ethics on Page 16. + +## Selection policy for FIT Touch Referees to attend international tournaments + +### Selection Policy + +The following criteria and expectations must be met for a referee to be considered for selection to +officiate at a Federation Event: + +1. The referee must be a member of an affiliated Member NTA. +2. The referee must be endorsed by the Director of Referees from his/her Member NTA. If the Member + country does not have a Director of Referees then endorsement would need to come from the + President, Chairperson, CEO or from the person nominated by the President, Chairperson or CEO of + the Member NTA as heading the referee structure for that NTA. Such endorsement would need to be + in writing and submitted to the FIT Director of Referees at least sixty (60) days prior to any + Federation Event or FIT sanctioned tournament, or as directed by the FIT Director of Referees + from time to time. +3. Referees would be expected to have attended national events and related Member NTA commitments + within their respective nations prior to nomination and subsequent selection. +4. World Cup Referees would be expected to be a minimum of Black Badge Referee. Dispensation can be + sought from the FIT Director of Referees for Referee/s not at the required Badge Level, but who + would be considered to have the necessary skill set both on and off field to attend this event. + Decisions on this would be made in consultation with the FIT Referee Commission and the Member + NTA and advised quickly. Consideration would be given to tournament requirements (Referee + numbers required) and developmental prospects for that nation as well as the need to have + credible referees officiating in the World Cup. +5. In the majority of cases the FIT Director of Referees or a member of the FIT Referee Commission + either appointed or designated or a suitably qualified referee coach/assessor authorized by the + FIT Director of Referees would have assessed the referee over a twelve (12) month period on the + lead up to a World Cup. This may include provision for referees to be viewed via electronic + telecommunications devices (SKYPE, DVD, YouTube etc) on a case by case basis where a physical + viewing is not cost efficient or effective. +6. Clarification on Designated: Is a person assigned by the FIT Director of Referees with the + necessary background knowledge and experience to assist with recommendations for selections. +7. FIT Referee Checklists to support referees not at Black Badge would also need to be provided + with the nomination. + +## Selection of National Squad Referees + +The following selection standards should be used when identifying and assessing referees for +national tournaments in Member NTA's as a prelude for selection to FIT Events. + +1. Potential National Squad Referees should be assessed over at least a period of twenty-four (24) + months at their respective national tournaments by their National Referees Commission. +2. These assessments should be collated by the National Director of Referees and maintained as an + individual personal file. +3. Selection should be based on performances during this period and on the level of commitment to + the NTA. +4. Squad numbers should depend on the number of referees required of that Member NTA as indicated + by the FIT Director of Referees. +5. A finial list of selected referees based on the FIT Director of Referees and the FIT Referees + Commission requirements is to be submitted to the FIT Director of Referees. This list is to + include referees selected from the original squad as reserves and ranked in order. It is for + each Member Nation to determine the method of ranking for referees and although finals + appointments through a national event is an acceptable method of ranking, it is also + acknowledged that country commitments and the level of financial contributions, and other + factors may be considered in the final rankings. The FIT standard is that the method of + selection is transparent to all referees giving them reasonable notice of the expectations. + +## Criteria for the selection of international referee flag bearer + +### General Criteria + +1. The carriage of the FIT Referee flag at the appropriate ceremonies at Federation Events or other + sanctioned tournament is a significant honour bestowed on an individual and is considered a + major recognition of one's commitment to the sport. +2. To be considered for selection as the Referee Flag Bearer the following criteria should be + achieved. The referee: + - Must be a member of the current attending international referee squad; + - Must have attended at least three (3) prior International events; + - Must be respected by all the referees community; + - Must be a good ambassador for the sport, nationally and globally; and + - Must possess leadership qualities. + +### The Selection Process + +The following process will be used to determine the Flag Bearer: + +1. The above criteria will be explained to all referees at the initial meeting prior to + commencement of any International tournament; +2. Nominations will be called for at that initial meeting, for persons that comply with the + criteria; +3. A secret ballot will be the way of nominations; +4. A person from within the meeting will be appointed to collate all nominations; +5. The referee receiving the majority vote will be elected as the flag bearer; and +6. In the event that there is an equality of votes on two or more persons for flag bearer, then the + FIT Referee Commission will determine the Flag Bearer. +7. The Host Nation will be asked to nominate a Flag Bearer. Such Flag Bearer from the host Nation + may not fill the criteria as per above, however would be deemed to be a person suitable of this + honour. + +## Criteria for the selection of the Referee of the tournament + +1. The following criteria will be used for selecting the most effective referee at a tournament, + referred to as *Referee of the Tournament*. The referee: + - Must have completed all days of the tournament; + - Would be expected to have refereed above expectations; and + - Does not necessarily need to be the number one ranked referee. +2. Under normal circumstances there will be a male and a female selected as *Referee of the + Tournament*. +3. Referees from within all categories are eligible for selection. +4. The attending Referees Commission Members will make the decision based on feedback from Referee + Team Leaders, Referee Managers, and personal observations. + +## Referee match appointments procedures + +1. The Triple Referee System shall be utilized for all events, wherever possible. +2. An appropriate appointment sheet shall be prepared for each day's matches including the day, + date, times, field numbers, participating teams and their divisions and the names of referees + appointed to each match. +3. The appointment sheet shall be prepared by the FIT Director of Referees and/or his/her FIT + Referees Commission nominee/s. +4. Appointments shall take into account the degree of difficulty of each match and due + consideration shall be given to each Referees rest/effort ratio. +5. All members of the FIT Referees Commission appointed for the event shall be required to be in + attendance and have input into match appointments. However, any voting required to make a final + determination will be restricted to Commission members with authorized voting powers. This can + be determined by the FIT Board of Directors. +6. All practicable steps shall be taken to inform Referees of their match appointments with + appropriate advance notice and wherever possible, this should be on the day preceding the date + of appointments. +7. Appointments may be reviewed and amended at any time as necessary for reasons such as injuries, + performances and other appropriate circumstances. +8. The FIT Referee Commission will meet as and when appropriate to discuss each day's appointments + and discuss individual referee performances. +9. The appointment sheet shall be displayed in a prominent place and/or copies distributed to + Referee Team Leaders. +10. Changes to match appointments shall only be authorized by the FIT Director of Referees. +11. The appointment sheets for each event shall be retained as a permanent FIT record by the FIT + Director of Referees. + +## Finals appointments procedure + +1. All FIT Referee Commission members shall be required to complete a Referee rating sheet prior to + all Finals matches. Commission members shall prepare their ratings individually and + confidentially by listing Referees in order of assessed strength with number one (1) being + considered as the strongest referee. +2. Input will only be accepted from Commission members who have viewed and assessed all the + Referees listed on their rating sheet. +3. Prior to appointments to Finals a determination shall be made as to the rating of each division + along with any special FIT approved circumstances such as promotion of particular division/s + etc. +4. In all cases, Referee appointments to Finals matches shall be based on the best performed + referees receiving those appointments. +5. The FIT Director of Referees may request each Commission member to justify his/her rankings and + at all times each Commission member must be prepared to support his/her recommendations both + verbally and with his/her assessment sheet ratings. +6. Where consensus for Finals appointment/s cannot be reached by a simple vote, a formal vote shall + be taken by all Commission members who have authorized voting power. A majority vote will + determine the final outcome and where the vote is tied, the FIT Director of Referees shall have + a casting vote. +7. All Finals appointments must be ratified by the FIT Board of Directors and must remain + confidential until officially announced by the FIT Director of Referees. +8. Discussion and voting at all Commission meetings regarding Referee match appointments shall + always be kept confidential. + - For the avoidance of doubt it is noted that the final referee rankings will be matter of + public record assessable by referees of Member NTA's. + - The information and/or documentation associated with the determination of the final ratings + will remain confidential and will be destroyed by the FIT Director of Referees immediately + after the completion of the relevant event. +9. Where there are approved FIT Referee Invited Coaches in place for a particular event working + alongside the FIT Referees Commission, the FIT Director of Referees will determine what + participation such members will play in the Finals Appointments Procedure. For the avoidance of + doubt unless the FIT Director of Referees puts in place some specific procedures, then the + minimum procedure will be for FIT Referee Invited Coaches be an observer only with no formal + voting, however the views of such FIT Referee Invited Coaches can be requested by the FIT + Director of Referees during the final appointment proceedings for the purposes of development of + the Invited Coaches. All such FIT Referee Invited Coaches are bound by the confidentiality + provisions of the FIT Referee Commission. +10. FIT Referee Invited Coach Clarification: An approved FIT Invited Referee Coach must be endorsed + by his/her respective NTA and the FIT Board. + +## FIT Referee judiciary panel + +### Jurisdiction of the FIT Referee Judiciary Commission + +1. The Jurisdiction of the FIT Referee Judiciary Panel covers; + 1. The period of time that a FIT Referee or any other person appointed to support the FIT + Referees officially entered the official accommodation of the FIT Referees contingent at the + event and expires when such personnel leave the official accommodation. This will also apply + for any person wearing the FIT uniform during transit. + 2. Any misconduct issue in relation to a FIT Referee or any other person appointed to support + the FIT Referees. For the avoidance of doubt: + - Matters of on-field performance are not included in the jurisdiction of the FIT Referee + Judiciary Panel; + - If it is unclear whether the matter relates to misconduct or to on-field performance, + the matter shall be referred to the FIT Board or appointed FIT Official for a + determination on whether is it a matter of misconduct or on-field performance. +2. Conduct issues for referees personnel leading up to going into/leaving the FIT referees + accommodation will remain for the Member NTA to deal with. +3. Conduct issues for the FIT Referee Commission will be dealt with by the FIT Board or any + Commission appointed by them for this purpose. + +### Chairperson + +1. The Chairperson of the Referee Judiciary Panel must be a member of the current FIT Referee + Commission but does not necessarily have to be the FIT Referee Director. +2. The Chairperson should not be a member of the nation of the referee/s attending the judiciary + hearing, or involved in the incident. + +### Judiciary Commission Members + +1. Judiciary Panel members should be selected by the FIT Referee Director. +2. Judiciary Panel members are to be respected, active referees and, if practicable, should reflect + a balance of the nations represented at the particular event with at least one Commission member + being from the nation of the referee / Attending the judiciary hearing. +3. There must be a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) Panel members plus the chairperson, + for the hearing to proceed. + +### Judiciary Hearing + +1. For a Judiciary Hearing to be convened, the FIT Referee Director must receive a written report + of alleged misconduct of a referee from any person associated with the game of Touch; +2. The FIT Referee Director, in conjunction with the FIT Referee Commission, shall decide whether + to, and how to, proceed based on reports received; +3. The FIT Board of Directors must be informed of any decision to conduct a Judiciary meeting; and +4. A FIT Board member should be requested to attend all FIT Referee Judiciary Hearings in an + observer capacity. + +### Powers of the Judiciary + +1. If the referee is found guilty of any breach of misconduct which would be considered to + contravene the Referees Code of Ethics, such referee may be suspended or disqualified from + officiating at FIT tournaments. +2. The degree of any penalty and duration of any suspension or disqualification will be decided by + the respective Judiciary Panel. +3. If a FIT Referee is found guilty of misconduct (or bringing the game into disrepute), he/she + will be immediately stood down from the event. +4. The respective Member NTA must receive a report on the findings of the Judiciary Hearing. +5. The FIT Board of Directors must be notified in writing of such decisions and outcomes. + +### Appeals / Grievances + +1. In accordance with natural justice and transparency, referees may appeal against decisions made + by the FIT Referee Judiciary Commission. Such appeals or grievances are to be dealt with in a + timely manner by the FIT Board of Directors or a designated Commission appointed by it. + +## FIT Referees Gold Badge + +### Outline + +1. The FIT Referees Badge is designed for the most elite of referees and sits above the universally + acclaimed black badge and will be awarded to referees that achieve the highest level in + refereeing achievement. +2. This badge will be introduced at the 2011 World Cup in Edinburgh, Scotland. +3. The current FIT Referees Commission Members will make the decisions on this. At this stage, it + is anticipated that this badge will be awarded at World Cup only, however, for the future, may + look at other events of suitable standard where referees from all nations are provided + opportunities. i.e. Youth World Cup. Trans Tasman or Euros would not be considered at this + stage as all referees are not provided equal opportunities. +4. This badge will not be awarded retrospectively and recipients MUST be in attendance and + officiating at the World Cup to be considered eligible. The evaluation process for this badge + will be using the *Break Point Sheet* where referees will need to satisfy this sheet + consistently to the highest standard on each game officiated. +5. Must be endorsed by the FIT Board of Directors +6. Must be endorsed by their respective National Director of Referees +7. For male referees they must have consistently ranked in the top male referees within their + respective NTA, in the twelve months leading up to the World Cup (six would be the very maximum) +8. For female referees they must have consistently ranked in the top female referees within their + respective NTA, in the 12 months leading up to the World Cup (three would be the very maximum). + +## Appendices + +- [Appendix 1: FIT Referees Commission Chair] +- [Appendix 2: FIT Referees Commission Member] +- Appendix 3: Role and activities of Referee Commission at tournaments + 1. Carry out Referee assessment and coaching duties as requested by the FIT Director of + Referees. + 2. Utilize the Federation's approved evaluation materials for the purposes of assessment, + coaching and ranking of Referees in matches of varying degrees of difficulty. + 3. Approach all assessment, coaching and ranking duties objectively and enthusiastically. + 4. Give timely and relevant feedback to Referees during events according to approved + guidelines. + 5. Liaise with the FIT Director of Referees and the FIT Referee Commission members on + individual Referee's performances both on and off the field of play. + 6. Meet daily with the FIT Director of Referees and the FIT Referee Commission members to + discuss and review match appointments. + 7. Maintain total confidentiality with respect to FIT meetings, briefings and activities. + 8. Submit and justify as requested recommendations for Finals appointments as required by the + FIT Referee Director. + 9. Vote as necessary to finalize any Referee appointments with majority vote ruling. + 10. Complete individual Referee coaching sheets at the completion of events as required by the + Referee Director. + 11. Conduct Referee debriefing sessions as directed by the FIT Director of Referees. +- [Appendix 4: FIT Code of Behaviour Policy] + +[Appendix 1: FIT Referees Commission Chair]: /position/referees-commission/chair/ +[Appendix 2: FIT Referees Commission Member]: /position/referees-commission/member/ +[Appendix 4: FIT Code of Behaviour Policy]: /policy/code-of-behaviour/