Local referees the rule

Press, 27 March 1981, Page 20

Local referees the rule

Coaches of two of Christchurch’s three Rothmans Soccer League teams would prefer neutral referees, but on April 5 “out-of-town” officials will be used for the last time.

A shortage of travel funds has prompted the New Zealand Soccer Referees Association to implement a new policy. Christchurch has three referees on the national league panel, Messrs Arthur Edwards, Neil Burt, and lan McGregor. Christchurch Mogal United’s manager (Mr Terry

Conley) did not feel that the move was a good one. “It cannot be good. It means that the referees in Christchurch are going to become terribly over-exposed,” he said.

Mr Nick de Meyer, the Rangers coach, said that he would prefer neutral referees. To avoid the problems of too much exposure, he advocated giving most New Zealand badgeholders in Christchurch an opportunity at the top level, <

“I feel sorry for the referees,” he said. “If they

have to give it to local referees, use the lot. There are half a dozen good referees, who never get the chance.”

However, Mr Trevor Reece, the Woolston W.M.C. joint coach, . had- no complaints about the use of local referees. He believes that the three in Christchurch are as good as any in New Zealand from what he has seen this season.

“In general, the standard has been quite good, up to now, and we have no qualms, no complaints,” he said.