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RULES AND REFS
Our latest page concentrates and rules and referees. With the help of Referees Co-ordinator Mike Hack, well review the rules, bust some of the myths and keep you up-to-date with everything refereeing. Youre under starters orders!
REFEREES COURSE - posted 15 December 2008
British Cycling are staging a Cycle Speedway Referees' Training Course at Tividale Community Centre, West Midlands (adjacent to the Sandwell track) on Sunday 18 January, starting at 12 noon, to run until 4 pm. The course is aimed at existing Midlands referees, new referees and any referees who haven't attended a training course in the last three years. Those referees (from all parts of the country) will need to attend the course in order to obtain a classified grading for the forthcoming season. The course is run free of charge. Persons wishing to attend are required to notify the Course facilitator, Bob Prince, by Monday 5th January. Bob's phone number is 01902 671688 and his e-mail address is
CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK FOR ALL REFEREES - posted 3 October 2008
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act became law in November 2006. This Act lays the foundation for a new Independent Safeguarding Authority and will be phased in from Autumn 2009. The main thrust of the Act is to introduce a registration scheme which prevents those deemed to be unsuitable from gaining access to children or vulnerable adults.
Next year British Cycling is commencing a programme of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on all race officials including all active cycle speedway referees.
PETROL COSTS HIT REFEREES HARD - posted 4 June 2008
Cycle speedway referees who travel hundreds of miles in the course of a season may be forced to quit as spiralling petrol prices leave them out of pocket.
As diesel soared to an average 129.8p a litre and unleaded petrol to 116.3p, referees still only receive 15 pence per mile plus their match fee. The true cost of fuel is up to 48.5p a mile according to motoring organisations.
"I will have to cut back drastically on my refereeing appointments" one top official told spokesman-online.
REFEREES' MANAGER CLARIFIES STARTING RULES - posted 15 April 2008
I enclose a response to Andy Franks' letter.
Rule 7.7.7 of the Cycle Speedway Handbook states that "If two or more riders move before the tapes rise the first to move shall be excluded but if the referee is unable to determine who did so first shall order the riders to re-approach the rest line and give starting orders again."
This is supplemented by rule 7.7.8 which states "If, after this procedure the same position arises the referee shall disqualify all riders guilty of the infringement" and by rule 7.7.5 which states "A rider shall be excluded if, after the command 'under starters orders', he allows his machine or person to move or deliberately causes a distraction before the tapes rise."
These rules apply to individual and team events and provide the referee with the ability to "penalise a team with riders who consistently move at the tapes."
Regards
Mike Hack
Referees' Manager
British Cycling, Cycle Speedway Commission
A MOVING EXPERIENCE - posted 14 April 2008
I seek some clarification given with regards to the following.
In a recent Premier League match I have been involved in a race where the two opposing riders both clearly moved whilst under starters orders. The referee agreed this but stated he could not decide who had moved first (i.e gate one or three). He therefore decided on no gate exclusion and the race commenced with all four riders at the next opportunity.
Whilst on this occasion I do not feel that the decision impacted on the outcome of the match, surely one of the two must be excluded, maybe the one on the outside gate if the referee cannot decide who moved first (in this case it was clearly gate three followed by gate one but the ref wasn't sharp enough to spot movement at the tapes for 18 heats!) so that a penalty to the team is imposed rather than (in this case) no penalty at all.
I think the situation is wholly different when a ref cannot decide who moved first in an individual match but surely a team match has to be different otherwise we are not penalising team with riders who consistently move at the tapes.
Has any advice previously been issued to refs for these circumstances and what is the stance on this scenario ?
With team racing becoming much more competitive at the highest level, I feel it is important that clarification is given to refs to help them deal with such difficult circumstances.
Kind regards
Andy Franks
WELSH REFEREES SCOOP TOP APPOINTMENTS - posted 28 March 2008
East Newport's top referees have all been given leading national fixtures to officiate this coming season.
In his first season on the national circuit, club chairman Richard Hughes has been appointed to referee the national under-13 individual at Newport on Saturday 28 June. New A graded referee Rob Absalom will be officiating at his first finals weekend in August having been selected to take charge of the under-10s and women's championship at Poole on Saturday 23 August and a senior semi final at Southampton on the following day.
The club's most experienced official, international grade A Ian Sizer, will be taking charge of a senior semi final and the senior individual final, both at Poole on the 24 and 25 August.
Asked about his top appointment and that of his club mates, Ian told spokesman-online "It's every referees dream to be given the leading individual match of the domestic season. I hope to put in a solid and consistent performance to justify my selection."
Commenting on his club mates Ian added "Congratulations to Rich and Rob. I know they both enjoy refereeing at such a high level and I am sure they wil have successful meetings."
Editor's Note: Do any of our readers know of any other national appointments this year. If so, drop us an email and we'll tell the sport.
REFEREE GRADINGS 2008 - posted 7 March 2008
The Referee Gradings list in the 2008 Cycle Speedway Directory makes interesting reading.
Overall 97 referees are listed this year compared to 122 in 2007, a drop of 20% on the year. While numbers in the A, B and Unclassified grades remain remarkably static, it is in the C grade where most of the losses are incurred.
Several refs have been promoted including Rob Absalom, Mike Legge and Mark Winwood who are now A grades while Roy Abbott, Bill Brooke, Keith Brooks, Dave Flemming, George Hollebon, Richard Hughes, Chic Mackie and Adam Peck are all elevated to B grade status.
Few referees have been downgraded. Only one ref, John Burston, has lost A grade status, a decision that has led to Burston's resignation from the referee's panel. Three others, Alan Hewitson, Dave Musgrave and Phil Widdas fall from B to C grade status.
NEW REFEREE GRADINGS ANNOUNCED - posted 17 February 2008
The updated referees gradings for 2008 have been completed, following a comprehensive analysis of referees' performances and feedback received from the 2007 season. Excellent cooperation all round from referees, clubs and competition recorders has provided a much greater return of feedback than in previous years, to enable sounder analysis to be made. All referees have now received official notification of their grading for 2008.
Major changes see Ralph Doughty and Ian Sizer promoted to Grade A International level, with Rob Absalom, Mike Legge and Mark Winwood promoted to Grade A National level. Several officials have seen their grades drop - primarily due to limited activity rather than poor performances. One notable absentee from the referees' list is Brian Eaton, who is taking a complete break from the sport in 2008.
RULE CLARIFICATIONS - posted 17 February 2008
The Cycle Speedway Commission has recently announced various changes of emphasis and interpretation that will be introduced to the sport with effect from the start of the 2008 season. A summary of these are:
Lapped Riders
Any rider who is lapped will be excluded from the race. In addition, a rider shall be deemed to be lapped, and therefore excluded, if he is interfering with the course of the race (ie affecting the attention, speed and / or position of riders coming round to lap him / her). This ruling will not apply to riders competing in events exclusively for under 8 and under 10 riders. The issue of whether or not riders are excluded for being lapped has led to inconsistencies in interpretation in recent years. This is partly as a result of the rulebook not being completely clear in its wording. At a recent Cycle Speedway Commission meeting, this issue was discussed and the above interpretation agreed.
Use of Video Equipment for Decision Making
Referees are not to use video or other recording equipment before making a decision. 2007 saw at least two occasions of referees using video equipment to assist them in arriving at a decision. At a recent Cycle Speedway Commission meeting, this issue was discussed and the above interpretation agreed. The Commission felt that as recording equipment is not available at every match, it should not be used. Additionally, there are no guidelines as to the use and positioning of equipment or for personnel to film matches. A fear was expressed that matches could be excessively delayed, if the practice of referees choosing to view recordings before making decisions became more widespread.
Match Day Reports
Referees are reminded of the requirement to complete a Referee's Report form for each match that they officiate, and to forward it to the appropriate League Recorder or to the Cycle Speedway Co-ordinator. Clubs are reminded of the requirement to complete a Referees Assessment form for each match that they partake in, and to forward it to the appropriate League Recorder or to the Cycle Speedway Co-ordinator.
JOINING THE A TEAM - posted 15 February 2008
The East Newport club recently received the fantastic news that two of their more experienced clubmen have been A Graded as referees for 2008.
Rob Absalom, not only a great worker behind the scenes, has now had his refereeing talents recognised and, after some excellent displays at both national and Premier League level in 2007, has been graded A National, the second highest grading that can be achieved in cycle speedway.
Rob now joins Ian Sizer on the elite list. After some solid performances in 2007, Ian has now reached grade A International, the highest grading.
Further excellent news came as chairman Richard Hughes, ungraded in 2007, starts the new season as a grade B referee, a superb achievement as Richard only took up the job a couple of seasons ago, recognition of his undoubted talent.
Overall the achievements are outstanding and possibly the first by a Newport based club.
Congratulations to all three officials and may they all enjoy a successful 2008.
WARNING ON WARNINGS - posted 21 December 2007
Referees' bosses are keen to improve communication between match officials and riders but are keen to remind riders that they are not entitled to a warning. The Referees' Guide advises that referees should communicate with riders, where possible, before an infringement is about to be committed.
"Remember, the rule book does not obligate referees to warn riders about leaving room, crossing another rider, etc. It's a popular myth is that a rider is entitled to a warning! However, a sudden infringement of the rules is nevertheless an infringement of the rules, so don't feel bad about excluding a rider who has offended whether you've warned him/her or not" the guide goes on to say.
SHOWING RESPECT - posted 21 December 2007
The referees' "bible" also gives referees advice on how to conduct themselves and treat riders with respect. It suggest the best referees are those that go about the job quietly but confidently. The Referees' Guide states that:-
"The referee must always show respect and courtesy to riders and officials, and not abuse his position by demeaning or unfairly treating riders or teams. An inconsistent referee will not retain respect from riders or team managers. "Politeness - "please" and "thank you" and a smile in the right place diffuses difficult situations before they arise. An air of authoritarianism is often met with resistance!
"Riders, officials and spectators have not come to the match to watch and listen to the referee playing solos on the whistle. Unfortunately, the best referees are never the star of the show and they are, paradoxically, invisible. One of the best compliments a referee can receive after a match is "I never noticed you, referee!"
BORING EXPLAINED - posted 21 December 2007
Boring into an opponent going into a bend is once of the most controversial of all cycle speedway manouvres.
The Referees Guide is quite explicit on the issue and advises that while some force is allowed, that force must not be "excessive".
In section 6.5 "Diving Inside an Opponent" the Guide states that:-
"A rider diving inside his opponent when entering the corner may use reasonable force in the form of arm/elbow/shoulder contact with his opponent's arm/elbow/shoulder, provided that he turns the corner and follows the racing line on exiting the corner, without causing his opponent to either fall or leave the track. In this case, no exclusion should occur.
"Should the referee consider that the move constituted excessive force, resulting in the passed rider falling or leaving the track, then an exclusion to the passing rider should occur.
"Should the referee consider that the passing rider failed to turn the corner at the apex and forced his opponent to the extremities of the circuit, then an exclusion should occur.
"No exclusion should be made to the passing rider if the referee considers that the passed rider has fallen or left the track, either due to a lack of basic bike handling skills or deliberately in order to secure an exclusion for his opponent."
LICENCE
CHECKS STILL IN PLACE posted 17 December 2007
Despite rumours to the contrary, all riders are still required to show their racing licence to the referee before the start of the match. In the latest directive to referees, officials are reminded that:
The referee should check all licences before racing starts. Several club secretaries and team managers have now started carrying copies of the licences or printing up a list of their riders which includes the riders' BCF number, licence expiry date, etc. and this can be checked off by the referee much quicker. However, all riders and officials (including the referee) should have their licences with them just in case the detail has to be checked. The referee should present his/her licence to the respective team officials and Event Director.
FIRST BEND FOULS posted 17 December 2007
How often do we see referees call back races after riders blatantly barge each other off the track at the first bend? Now referees are being urged to take firm action and exclude riders rather than call a restart.
In directives issued to all referees, officials are reminded that first bend incidents should be treated no differently than from the rest of a race. An offence on the first bend is still an offence.
Quite often, riders who fail to get the race to go their way on the first turn will cheat by, for instance, placing an opposing rider over the boundary and therefore gain a re-start from a benevolent referee. Placing an opponent over the boundaries is against the rules, regardless of where this happens in the race, and the offending rider should be excluded. However, use common sense on the first turn where bunching is the main cause of a re-start and no rider is to blame.
In such an instance, only award a re-start "with all riders" if you are satisfied no offences have been committed. Never order a re-start with "all riders" if you are sure that (a) particular rider(s) have committed an offence - exclude the offending rider(s).
CONCESSIONS FOR UNDER-10s posted 17 December 2007
There has been some controversy in recent years about well meaning referees not enforcing rules and exclusions for riders in various age category competitions. In order to achieve consistency, so that all riders, referees, officials and spectators know what to expect, all referees have been advised that:
Rules must be applied in full for all categories, with the exception of under-8 and under-10 events. For these two categories, referees can be lenient in their decision making, if they feel that the incident in question was accidental and not deliberate.
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