BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Hunslet coach Alan Kilshaw has voiced his concern about cuts to the match officials in League 1 that he believes are unduly affecting the overall quality of the competition.
In 2019, when central funding began being tightened, changes were made to the way games in the third tier were being officiated.
There is no longer match commissioners at each game or comms systems used by the officials at League 1 fixtures, unless League 1 clubs are playing a Super League or Championship opponent in the Challenge Cup.
Kilshaw feels this pust additional pressure on match officials, as well as impacting standards and affecting results.
“After a game coaches, including myself, can be angry or blow up but when you take the emotion out and reflect you can empathise with the situation,” he told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“The match officials department has – like everyone else – had funding cuts and this has impacted League 1 more than anyone else.
“They no longer have the three officials on a comms system, so this makes it much harder for them during the game.
“Where the touch judges would be calling offsides at kicks or forward passes, they would pick this up through the comms but the referee might miss this now and the touch judge can’t really run on with his flag for one of these calls.
“The refs at this level are mostly young and up and coming so it’s vital we give them the opportunity to grow and develop the same we would as players. They have good people in the match officials department but they are under-resourced.
“How can they get a decent gauge on how the refs communicate with players and their touch judges if there’s no comms to listen back to?
“The other thing is the match commissioners, which for me provided very good support for the officials on game day. They were top ex-referees or touch judges and they were approachable but also keep the benches in check.
“This was replaced by a fourth official, which is usually a young person, and it can get quite heated down at pitchside at times and that includes me. The commissioners were key to managing that and keeping everyone calm.
“I feel League 1 has been hit hardest out of all the three professional leagues – the clubs, with the central funding, and the changes to match officials.
“League 1 is a great competition with lots of history. Each club has sponsors, hard-working volunteers and loyal supporters. We need to make sure we are giving the comp the best possible chance to thrive, and that includes everyone.
“Coaches are judged on results and if a couple of mistakes are made during the season that can be avoided by having a comms system, for example, this could cost you a playoff spot or promotion.”
Hunslet are sitting in eighth spot in League 1 with one win, one draw and two defeats from their first four games.
On Good Friday the west Yorkshire club were beaten by Keighley right on full-time when Mo Agoro scored a try from a controversial pass.
“We can look at decisions in isolation but we always look at ourselves first and foremost, the depth of our squad has probably been most impacted by the reduced funding,” Kilshaw admitted.
“We have some really good young lads but we need to be careful in how we manage their development.
“League 1 is a very physical league with some smart old pros running around. Some of my team aren’t ready to be going toe to toe with them week-in-week-out.
“It’s vital we don’t get them beat up or discouraged while they are still developing physically.”
The RFL has been approached for comment.
