Local referee crisis

Yamba’s Nial Roder (left) and Westlawn’s Zac Hayes during their third division football match at Maclean Showground last season.

Debrah Novak

A DIRE shortage of qualified referees has North Coast Football in "crisis" recruitment mode for the new season.

Clarence Branch of North Coast Football Referees' committee member Trevor Hageman has called for all former players and lovers of the sport to consider taking on a role as an official, after the code limped through last season with the bare minimum of officials.

"We have more than 10 senior games week in and week out, but only five referees on the books to officiate," Hageman said.

"Last season many of the games had only one central umpire, who worked without the help of flagmen.

"Ideally we need three umpires per match, but at this stage we'll be flat out covering the games in 2012."

Football referees are paid for their work, with a going tax-free rate of $50 per match for the central umpire and $25 for running the lines.

"While the money is certainly handy, a lot of people have shied away from becoming a referee because they don't want to cop the abuse," Hageman said.

"I've asked retiring senior players to join our ranks, only to be asked why they should cop the abuse they've given me over the years."

North Coast Football is planning to adopt a much sterner line against verbal abuse this season and players will be reported to the judiciary for multiple offences.

In addition to the threat of judiciary action, players will also be playing under similar yellow card rules to the A-League.

"Four accumulated yellow cards will result in an automatic week off," Hageman said.

People interested in officiating local matches will be put through a course to brush up on the laws of the game before the season starts.

Contact referees@northcoastfootball.com.au or Trevor on 0437 002 445 to get involved