Report to BCFOA

Metro Allocator

Well, what a first year! I'll attempt to keep the report under 5 or 6 pages!

Was asked to take on this position early in 2009 and shortly thereafter, we started with spring scrimmages. Trial by fire to say the least! Learned arbiter through the summer and WHAM here comes the regular season! Add to that the fact that I got married two weeks into September and you can tell the learning curve and the time inputted into HS football was immense.

It appears to me, from comments I've heard from members, that people generally appreciate allocations coming out a week or two before the games hit. Officials were also generally happy with their assignments. I attempted to challenge quite a few of our members with games that may be out of their comfort range. Playoff time is a different animal altogether in this organization. Playoffs are done by committee. Although there were some complaints made about playoff assignments, I believe they were either recognized and adjustments made or the officials involved were in the minority. I really hope everyone thought their season was successful. If you didn't, I would suggest talking with Ben (educator), Tim (VP, High School) or whomever replace them next season about where they stand about their officiating and work so that I can give everyone the big game in years to come!

There always have to be some disappointments. Our first-year officials did a spectacular job and, if they stick with officiating, most of them should be valued members for years to come. Having said that, we had many veteran officials and promising journeymen drop out this season. Not only did this make my job more difficult, but it showed as an association, we still require more officials available for peak times. This tends to be Fridays for Varsity football so not only do we need more officials, we need more TALENTED officials. Very few games this year progressed with 5-man crews at varsity during the regular season. In a few years, I'd like to see ALL varsity games have a 5-man crew on the field.

I couldn't have done this alone. Thanks to Bill Watson who filled in for me for the two weeks I was off throwing my life away (don't show my wife this report, thanks in advance) and provided tons of wisdom and experience. Also, thanks go to Tim Lederman, who backed me up lots of times with HS football trying to make heads or tails of the schedule. Thanks to the playoff committee who took a lot of heat off of me when playoff time came. Greg Barnes helped a lot because he knows everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) so when I had a question about ability, he often knew the answer. And of course, the entire membership within Metro Vancouver, because without available officials, no football game gets allocated!

In conclusion, it has been a privilege to be your allocator for the 2009 football season. My term is year-to-year (due to the appointed nature of the position) so I can't tell you for certain whom the allocator is next year. It is my intention to continue to serve next year; however, my home and work life will likely be the final determination in whether I will serve as your allocator in 2010.

Best for the Christmas season and a wonderful 2010. We will see you on the field next September!

Jamie Graham

Metro HS Allocator, BCFOA