Sec's Report 07

Secretary’s report

The shortage of referees is the biggest concern for grass roots football throughout the Country.

Whilst Training Officers work tirelessly throughout the year training new referees the numbers continue to go down. In Surrey, membership of the RA has steadily gone down from 996 in 2001/02 to 603 in 2006/07. This drop is reflected in the membership figures of each Society and the subsequent numbers attending the monthly meetings. To improve standards, reap the benefits of the RA and form friendships we must all help in trying to encourage everyone to join the RA and a Society.

The Development Group, under the watchful eyes of Lee Cable assisted by Vic Skilton has had an excellent season. A large number of the group have been successful in gaining promotion to the next level and the help and advice that is being given to them is undoubtedly paying dividends. But we can’t sit back and wallow in our success, we have to be looking for the next set of young, enthusiastic referees who want to join the group and push forward for bigger and better things.

As you are all well aware, the County RA have been short of both a Secretary and a Chairman this season. My thanks go to Ray Mallery who has chaired all Delegates meetings this season, but I am hopeful that by the time of the AGM we will have secured someone who is prepared to take on this position. I have indicated that I would be prepared to continue as Secretary for the coming season to try and help ‘blood in’ the new Chairman and to help in the process of finding a new Secretary for the following season.

Brian Fish

Hon. Secretary

Guildford RA