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No Ref No Game and Take 5
No Ref No Game and Take 5
West Elgin Soccer fully supports its referees and has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, or abuse of any kind from players, coaches, or spectators. All individuals are required to follow the West Elgin Soccer Code of Conduct and the WLSL Code of Conduct at all times and on all premises where games take place. Failure to comply will result in appropriate consequences.
Take 5
Take 5
Match Official abuse is a global issue threatening sports, with officials facing increased mental health risks and high dropout rates due to maltreatment. To address this, Ontario Soccer launched a multi-year program featuring policy reforms, education, and the #NoRefNoGame campaign to promote awareness and positive change.
Take 5 is a pilot program created by Ontario Soccer and used by West Elgin Soccer and the West London Soccer League.
A leading reason why Match Officials do not enjoy their role is because of spectator behaviour. Spectators have the important role to encourage, support and cheer on their players. This becomes difficult when spectators display outward behaviours that are unacceptable on the field.
Take 5 is an initiative that it initiated by the Match Official and specifically addresses the spectator behaviour, that goes above and beyond the acceptable, immediately in the moment.
The goal is to help remind everyone how important their role is in supporting the development of players, coaches and Match Officials.
The 3 Phases of the Take 5
The 3 Phases of the Take 5
Phase 1: Warning
Phase 1: Warning
The first time spectator behaviour crosses the acceptable threshold, the referee will pause the game. The Match Official will address the behaviour with the coaches, who will then directly address the team's spectators.
No additional time is added for the warning stoppage.
Play will be restarted according to the Laws of the Game.
Phase 2: Timeout
Phase 2: Timeout
The second time spectator behaviour crosses the acceptable threshold, the game is paused for 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes has elapsed, play is restarted according to the Laws of the Game.
No additional time is added for this stoppage. No activity is allowed on the field during this time.
This is the stage where "Take 5" takes its name.
Phase 3: Abandon
Phase 3: Abandon
The third time spectator behaviour crosses the acceptable threshold, the game is abandoned.
The Match Officials will submit the necessary reports to the appropriate Governing Bodies, and if necessary, other authorities.
West Elgin Soccer will not reverse the call of any Match Official. All situations brought to our attention will be used for teaching and educational purposes with our Match Officials.
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