Question Number: 5334

Mechanics

RE: Under 12

Marc Watson of Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK asks...

Hello Panel!..Just wondering about this last night, thought you may be able to help me and my colleagues. We almost got into an arguement with our friends over this!..Do referees at lower levels, have to carry sub boards? I personally carry 20 large A4 cards with large black numbers from 1-20 on them, laminated in plastic. I made them myself on my computer...To my understanding, referees at lower levels do not have to carry these! To get a set of ones from OSI or RefereeWorld.com, will set back a junior referee about $80 to $140, depending on the set they buy! The money is better spent on good uniforms in my opinion...Do junior referees have to carry such equipment? The sub cards I made myself do fine for me, and cost me almost nothing to make up! I just have them there for the coaches to use to indicate subs to me and my colleagues. Do we have to carry them?..Hope to hear from you about this...Thanks for your time.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Spend your game fees on keeping up your kit, when that's finished you'll need new stockings and a second of some things. Let the number boards stay in the shop until you're the fourth on a Saturday. Until then, nice to have if you have everything else...Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Sebalja

In New Zealand the clubs provide the substitution booklet. Obviously a cheaper option than having a hundred referees turn up and say we will use mine. We leave them in the changing rooms and when they are required they are used.

Answer provided by Referee Fredrikssonk

In Sweden, we only use fourth officials in premier league and in premier league the home team have to have electronic boards.../Oskar