FOOTBALL Mid North Coast will investigate ways ensure the retention of members of the refereeing ranks.
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General manager Peter Daniels admits there is concern at board level at the number of officials who are dropping out of the game.
"If they're 17 or 18 and leaving the area to attend university or for employment that's a different matter,'' Mr Daniels said.
However, FMNC is worried officials are leaving the code because of other reasons - with abuse from players, coaches and spectators a real concern.
"We want to make the refereeing experience an enjoyable one,'' Mr Daniels said.
"So we want to find out why our referees are pulling out of the game. Then we can act on the problems.
"We will take whatever action is required.''
Mr Daniels would not rule out lengthy suspensions for players or coaches for dissent. Barring spectators who are repeat offenders is another avenue FMNC might consider.
FMNC's board is also keen to put in place a mentoring system for young referees, who would be assisted in their development by senior officials.
Mr Daniels pointed out refereeing can be financially lucrative.
"There's some good bucks to be made,'' he said.
Refereeing under 17 or 18 fixtures is worth $40 a centre, while it's $30 a centre for under 15 fixtures. An over 35s match is worth $55 and women's premier league is $80.
"Somene who does three centres and runs a couple of lines a weekend can pocket a couple of hundred dollars - it's better than working at Maccas,'' he said.
Mr Daniels stressed the refereeing numbers in the area isn't at crisis point.
"We're like all sports, we all want more referees,'' he said.
However, FMNC has to find officials for premier league and tier two senior men's competitions, women's local and premier league along with over 35s and juniors. Football Mid North Coast covers an area once governed by three separate associations - Manning, Hastings and Macleay.
The premier league, contested by 10 clubs from Forster-Tuncurry to Kempsey, is the number one priority as far as refereeing appointments. All matches are currently played on Saturday afternoons.
FMNC vice chairman Mike Parsons told the Times last year that there was some consideration to eventually staggering the premier league fixtures by playing some games on a Friday night or a Sunday to assist with referee numbers while also promoting stand alone match of the round games.
Mr Daniels said this won't happen in 2015 but it remained a possibility.
"I think a local derby, played on a Friday evening or a Sunday afternoon would be an attraction for spectators ,'' he said.
The Football Mid North Coast Premier League will kick off on Saturday April 11.