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       #Post#: 13162--------------------------------------------------
       20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: lincs22
       Date: November 20, 2019, 7:14 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       An email from the FA about potential changes in refereeing
       structure following the changes to the NLS for 20/21. Anybody
       got any further information?
       Changes to National League System/Refereeing Pyramid – Season
       2020/21
       
       As many of you will be aware, the on-going restructure of the
       National League System will be completed in readiness for the
       start of season 2020/21. These changes will result in the
       creation of a “pure” football pyramid from Step 1-Step 6,
       including the creation of additional divisions at Step 3, Step 4
       and Step 5, and the repositioning of what is currently Step 7
       outside of the System to be known as ‘Regional NLS Feeder
       Leagues’ – this bridging the gap between County and National
       League System football.
       These changes have necessitated a review of the refereeing
       structure. During this review it has become apparent that the
       refereeing pyramid will need to adapt to the changing football
       environment to ensure consistency of appointments both in terms
       of the type/balance of appointment (referee v assistant referee)
       and the level of match officials used on a particular step in
       the National League System.
       As a consequence, the FA Referees’ Committee unanimously agreed
       to changes to align the refereeing pyramid as closely as
       possible with the National League System and thereby provide a
       consistent environment for referees operating at a specified
       level, whilst aiming to retain accessibility for referees
       nationwide.
       Discussions are taking place to finalise the necessary changes
       and we will be communicating directly with impacted parties
       (leagues, match officials, County FAs) in December, both on a
       national and regional basis. In addition to written
       correspondence, we will be holding face to face meetings.
       #Post#: 13163--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: Maltese Falcon
       Date: November 20, 2019, 8:33 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Very interesting indeed.  Was at an FA training event within the
       last couple of weeks and nothing was mentioned.  Sounds like
       they intend greater consistency across the country with regard
       to the Step that officials of a certain level referee at.  At
       the moment there's a marked disparity, especially around Steps
       3-5.  Could also be that we get 3 and 4 A & Bs in the same way
       as we have 2A & B.  Will have to wait and see!
       #Post#: 13166--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: ajb95
       Date: November 20, 2019, 11:47 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Maltese Falcon link ---
       >
       > Very interesting indeed.  Was at an FA training event within
       the last couple of weeks and nothing was mentioned.  Sounds like
       they intend greater consistency across the country with regard
       to the Step that officials of a certain level referee at.  At
       the moment there's a marked disparity, especially around Steps
       3-5.  Could also be that we get 3 and 4 A & Bs in the same way
       as we have 2A & B.  Will have to wait and see!
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Or maybe we could do what other leagues do where you referee at
       one level and then move up to the next step (league) when
       promoted!?
       #Post#: 13169--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: rustyref
       Date: November 20, 2019, 3:06 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       There's currently an inconsistency as to what steps level 3 and
       4s do across the country.  In most of the southern leagues step
       5 is refereed by level 4s and steps 4 and 3 are refereed by
       level 3s.  In some leagues though, such as the Eastern Counties,
       and some leagues in the North I believe, step 5 is refereed by
       L3s with L4s refereeing at step 6.  This has always struck me as
       grossly unfair and uneven, especially at L3 where it is a single
       merit table countrywide, as that merit table is comparing people
       refereeing at step 3 with those refereeing at step 5.
       I would guess this change will sort that discrepancy out.
       #Post#: 13177--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: Ref Watcher
       Date: November 21, 2019, 4:08 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I don't see the point of this email.  It says nothing
       substantive before saying changes will be announced next month.
       Why not just say nothing until then instead of prompting a heap
       of speculation beforehand?
       #Post#: 13184--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: lincs22
       Date: November 21, 2019, 8:18 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: rustyref link ---
       >
       > There's currently an inconsistency as to what steps level 3
       and 4s do across the country.  In most of the southern leagues
       step 5 is refereed by level 4s and steps 4 and 3 are refereed by
       level 3s.  In some leagues though, such as the Eastern Counties,
       and some leagues in the North I believe, step 5 is refereed by
       L3s with L4s refereeing at step 6.  This has always struck me as
       grossly unfair and uneven, especially at L3 where it is a single
       merit table countrywide, as that merit table is comparing people
       refereeing at step 3 with those refereeing at step 5.
       >
       > I would guess this change will sort that discrepancy out.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       At what level are the supply leagues nationally?
       In Yorkshire, the Supply leagues are 3 * Step 7 (which is one
       pool) + 1 division at Step 6 (with its own pool of referees). I
       think that it is similar with the North West Counties and the
       Northern league.
       Which step 5 leagues are covered by L4 as opposed to L3's?
       #Post#: 13186--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: Conkernut
       Date: November 21, 2019, 10:39 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       United Counties League (Supply) which is made up of teams mainly
       from Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire has level
       4's in the middle for the Premier division
       #Post#: 13187--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: ajb95
       Date: November 21, 2019, 10:47 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: lincs22 link ---
       >
       > [quote author=rustyref link=topic=1182.msg13169#msg13169
       date=1574283966]
       > There's currently an inconsistency as to what steps level 3
       and 4s do across the country.  In most of the southern leagues
       step 5 is refereed by level 4s and steps 4 and 3 are refereed by
       level 3s.  In some leagues though, such as the Eastern Counties,
       and some leagues in the North I believe, step 5 is refereed by
       L3s with L4s refereeing at step 6.  This has always struck me as
       grossly unfair and uneven, especially at L3 where it is a single
       merit table countrywide, as that merit table is comparing people
       refereeing at step 3 with those refereeing at step 5.
       >
       > I would guess this change will sort that discrepancy out.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       At what level are the supply leagues nationally?
       In Yorkshire, the Supply leagues are 3 * Step 7 (which is one
       pool) + 1 division at Step 6 (with its own pool of referees). I
       think that it is similar with the North West Counties and the
       Northern league.
       Which step 5 leagues are covered by L4 as opposed to L3's?
       [/quote]
       You are correct lincs22.
       North west counties div 1 north and south are step 6 has its own
       refs. But also there is a larger combined pool covering
       manchester Liverpool and Chester which are all level 4s but are
       refereeing step 7 matches.
       Level 3 goes from the evo-stik premier all the way down to north
       west counties prem
       #Post#: 13188--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: Maltese Falcon
       Date: November 21, 2019, 10:58 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       In and around London, Level 3s are (I believe) solely covering
       Step 3 and 4 matches.  So, as a Level 4 you cover Supply League
       games (Step 5), then, after promotion you cut your teeth on
       Division One games on the Isthmian and Southern leagues (Step 4)
       before graduating to the Premier divisions (Step 3).
       Having now checked, there are currently only 5 Supply Leagues
       officiated by Level 3 referees .. Eastern Counties Prem, North
       West Counties Prem, Northern Counties East Prem, Western League
       Prem and Northern League Division One
       #Post#: 13247--------------------------------------------------
       Re: 20/21 NLS restructuring
   DIR By: rustyref
       Date: November 24, 2019, 4:48 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Maltese Falcon link ---
       >
       > In and around London, Level 3s are (I believe) solely covering
       Step 3 and 4 matches.  So, as a Level 4 you cover Supply League
       games (Step 5), then, after promotion you cut your teeth on
       Division One games on the Isthmian and Southern leagues (Step 4)
       before graduating to the Premier divisions (Step 3).
       >
       > Having now checked, there are currently only 5 Supply Leagues
       officiated by Level 3 referees .. Eastern Counties Prem, North
       West Counties Prem, Northern Counties East Prem, Western League
       Prem and Northern League Division One
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       And that is fundamentally wrong, it isn't fair to compare L3s in
       a national merit table when some are refereeing step 5 and some
       are refereeing step 3.
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