Soccer referee shortage now 'critical'
By Gary Culbert
The North Tipperary & District League (NT&DL) have informed clubs that a shortage of match officials for the next weekends Division 2A games leaves those fixtures in doubt.
The shortage of referees has reached a “critical stage” according the North Tipperary branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society (ISRS). In a statement on social media, the branch said: “all the leagues in our jurisdiction are struggling to fulfil fixtures due to a lack of match officials.”
They went on to explain that there is a fully funded pathway for new referees to take up the whistle, and that those who do undertake refereeing courses will receive “full support from the branch and the leagues.”
In the case of the NT&DL, full support means that they will cover the entire fee associated with an individual undertaking the required course to become a referee.
Naoise Lawlor, ISRS North Tipperary Branch secretary said: “Once you become a registered referee you can join the branch in your area, who will fully support you with ongoing online and in-person training.”
“You get proper gear and well looked after by the branch. There is a good support network in the branch - if you feel like you need to talk to someone after a game, there is always someone waiting at the other end of the phone.”
However, the branch can only do so much to advertise the role of the referee; they need the support of local clubs to “encourage and back any individual, male or female, who wishes to take up the whistle.”
It should be an easy job for clubs to advertise the opportunity to earn some extra income while getting fresh air and meeting new people. NT&DL Premier Division referees currently can earn €80 for officiating a game, while First & Second Division and Youths games are paid at a rate of €70 each.
Revenue applies a threshold of €5,000 for what it calls ‘casual income’ from activities such as officiating. If total referee fees in a tax year stay below this figure, you are generally not required to register for self-assessment or file an income tax return.
For more information on how to avail of the fully-funded referee course, you can call ISRS North Tipperary Branch secretary Naoise Lawlor 0876440952, or email naoise@lawlorpainting.ie.