This Update has SIX important messages this week which we would ask you to please read.
Referees wear purple shirts/yellow armbands for a reason
Equal Play = FREE footballs from Sports Direct
U7s & U8s – removal of heading pilot
SMS text result issues
Team sheets and ID checks
YEL hotline number
Referees wear purple shirts/yellow armbands for a reason
SOME ADULTS SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THIS MESSAGE ALREADY!
– If you see a referee in a purple shirt or yellow armband (introduced this season) it means they are under 18 – THEY ARE CHILDREN and will make mistakes as they learn to referee. Many are brand new this season as a result of a drive from Notts FA to recruit more referees. Criticising them when they make a mistake WILL NOT make them better; It’s more likely to turn them away. We’d really appreciate constructive feedback so we can help with their development – yel@live.co.uk – Don’t offer advice/query decisions at the end of the game – it’s not your job. Please be understanding. No one likes criticism, least of all children. Remember they all have parents watching. Think how you would feel if your child was criticised by others when they made a mistake when playing for your team.
Equal Play = FREE footballs from Sports Direct
Thanks to Viv Corcoran from Calverton MW FC for sharing this information. Sports Direct have launched their Equal Play campaign where they’re supporting the growth of girls/women’s football. Part of the campaign is to offer the opportunity of FREE footballs to clubs who have girls/women’s teams
Click the link to find out more information
https://www.sportsdirect.com/equal-play
U7s & U8s – removal of heading pilot
Confirmation that the national FA pilot for removal of heading from football begins this weekend (1st October) in the YEL for U7s/U8s ONLY. All other football continues with the normal rules. We do not expect or want to see any children at U7/U8 to be cautioned/sent off under these new rules. Common sense must be applied. Players should be asked to withdraw whilst the coach explains what they are doing wrong. It is all about player development at this age.
SMS text result issues
Can we please ask that you report THE CORRECT score for your game. Agree the score with the opposition manager immediately after the game and send the text. We are getting too many conflicting scores being registered which can lead to teams being placed in the wrong ability group/divisions if they are wildly inaccurate.
Also, if you are team admin for more than one team and receiving multiple SMS score texts, you could be contributing to the problem. Our advice is that the coach at the game is made responsible for receiving/returning the text. This avoids scores being received/inputted for the incorrect matches.
Reminder – As per League Rules/Regulations, scores must be reported to the league within 4 hours of the listed KO time on Full-Time. Any team that doesn’t will receive a sanction.
Team sheets & ID checks
As we are now at the beginning of October, everyone should be into the routine of providing team sheets to any officially appointed referees and carrying out pre match ID checks.
Our referees are required to complete reports on every YEL game they officiate so we are fully aware of which teams are failing to do ID checks/provide team sheets despite this being a League Rule/Regulation, voted in at the AGM. There’s no excuse for this as the need for ID checks and team sheets has been heavily trailed in the weeks leading up to the season start.
Our role, as league administrators, is to apply the rules as approved. Please be aware that fines for not adhering to the League Rules/Regulations will be issued from now on. Those teams that have not been doing this will know who they are. Please do not be surprised if your Treasurer/Club secretary makes contact having received a fine asking the question why the rules are not being followed.
YEL Game Day hotline 
If you have any issues or on the day queries relating to your game only, you can contact the YEL Game Day Hotline number for advice.
07510 305354
Available between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR ON THE DAY MATCH RELATED ENQUIRIES – no other issues will be discussed.
Contacting the YEL
If you email the YEL OFFICE – yel@live.co.uk – please ensure you state the team name, age group and playing day so we can quickly deal with the enquiry
Rob Harwood CEO
YEL OFFICE