WTFL Wpg. Touch Football League - WTFL

Good Morning.

Today is April 12th, 2008.

This is the first day of the rest of our lives.
What are you going to do today?

Wow! From a 82 team league in 2007 to a 50 team league in 2008. I guess there is a God. While last year was amazing regarding the number of teams playing the game in the WTFL, it was crazy!

Many of the outgoing execs, wished for a smaller league. (Personally, I liked the super big league..more apt to receive sponsor dollars and funding assistance based on membership numbers)

But from a scheduller's point of view, and getting fields and then God of Refs, schedulling those guys for games.........this will be apiece of cake.

My old friend, who should remain nameless, kept the mantra of " bigger isn't better." We should downsize, ...put a cap on the number of teams.... I guess he got his wish.

Jeez I just realized it....the Winter Indoor League is bigger. 52 teams,and if ya count the two on two and the Co-ed..way bigger.

Not sure what this all means? The exec is working to find a solution to the lack of enough refs. It looks like that problem may now be a moot point....or will it???

To answer the question, "What are you going to do today??...." If the the "proverbial" day is now here, here is what the WTFL exec has planned...

This year, the exec came up with a difficult answer to the reffing need. That is, the idea of having MTG (Multi-Team Guys)who play on more than one team, have to offer and be available to ref 10 games /for every team they play on. (Example: Ya play on three teams, one team is "normal" but the other two are considered the "extra" therefore, 10 games forevery team = a maximum potential of2 x 10 = 20 games.) Note it says be available to ref, and second its ays a max of 10 games per extra team

Radical!

Ya know, when I was wee lad,back in the day, we(the WTFL) had mandatory reffing. It was about 15-20 years ago. It worked. Yeah, so well, that when teams were given the option to "NOT ref"...they paid $150.0 more, not to!!! Back then, with 32 teams, we found enough paid guys to officiate. Of course now, with almost 3 times that number...it proved difficult last year, to state we found enough refs. So, some of the exec came up with the idea that we are going with this year.

Now while, I perfectly understand that howling and wailing coming from some of the MTG's, this "conscripted" reffing idea, will see the WTFL train probably up to 75 guys as certified Level One Headlinesmen. Quit complaining about your Human Rights! Go to China, or Tibet, or Myanmar. You got it good here Sweetheart!

I whole heartedly believe this is the group or "pool" upon which the league will, in the future, find it's refs. In a nutshell,this is,the "future pool of officials" For the record,"unofficially" the MTGs will probably be called upon to ref a maximum of 6 games(based on 82 team league)That's my guess - ti-mate. Anyone want to start a pool, picking the number of games that guys will be forced to ref? (I'll pick 4) That would be 2 nights, or, most of one weekend day.

Plus ya get paid. $21.00 for the sideline each game. $25.00 for the backfield and $31.00 to be the headman (Head referee). Plus add on a couple bucks after you reach 75, 100 and 125 games,as bonus pay. Note: this may rise as gas prices are expected to.

It's funny, reading the posts of some leagues, regarding having a 3rd ref. It seems the teams have a real comfort level when a 3rd guy is there. Even though the guy doesn't do much (a sideline guy has to be aware of 5 potential calls to make, offsides by both teams, pass I,catch or no catch, and if a tag is made and the spot of the tag)

Yeah that's it....so anyone who says they can't do it....is ....well you know.

So, despite this seemingly unpopular "Mandatory Conscripted" ref policy, (it's the WTFL's version of the "War Measures Act.")the policy I am sure, will prove itelf a very superwise investment, for the future. Therefore, while other leagues continue to beg for reffing help,the ole 36year old (The WTFL) will, having invested in it's future, by "seemingly sacrificing a little of it's present" already have a huge pool of future refs.

Congratulations to the WTFL Exec, for this bold (if unpopular) move. Congratulations to the teams and players.... the "MTGs" who have "bitten the bullet," and signed up and are supporting this initiative. Judging by the MTGs who have signed up, the league is getting it's All-Star players recruited/trained and placed as sideline refs (at least for a couple games) Could you think of a better source for a ref than one of our league's star players? In myho, this is the perfect source, as these are the guys who love the game, are pretty good at it, and seem to have the time.

WTFL Exec!!!! Awesome idea.

Now, if the remainder of you 107 multi-team guys MTG haven't signed up yet for the reffing clinic, ya better do so now. I booked a big room for a second clinic, because the first one filled up soooooofast. Thesecond clinic is May2 and 3rd just for you. Let's see if we can stuff it full of conscripts. My first ref clinic I did for 123 guys back in 1986. Let's see if we can beat the record.

Sign up instructions, dates, times, etc., are posted on the home page and elsewhere on the forum. You've been playing and having fun in this league, now along with doin the nasty (fun playing thing)do the right thing. Don't ask what your league can do for you, ask what you can do for your league!

Remember, this isn't about you, it's about your kid's future! the league's future!
(I usually write frequent posts with sarcasm. However, when my fellow old guy, defended this policy, aggressively and vociferously, to his young, former league MVP, I was proud of him, for doing so, but also realized, that when the seven, 50 year old, head refs will retire some day, and what would the league do then? I knew that if "the Legend," agreed, the idea does have some merit)

OK you 42 "un-registered on the website teams," now sign up, so we can use all these young strong handsome/gorgeous,excited, enthusiastic new sideline refs.

10 days till registration drop dead deadline April 21st for new teams, April 14 for returning. See Home page for specifics.

Looking forward to seing everyone on Monday at CanadInns Polo Park. Bring money (and candy for me) Register you team with the minimum # of guys on line.

We are excited to begin schedulling and assigning refs to our games located throughout all corners of the city, at the new Buhler park in Jeff's neck of the woods, Transcona, Maple Grove Rugby Park, Brad's personal favourite, the combo of Charring Cross/HS Paul/ Sara Riel School, Lionel's back yard - Optimist One and two, and of course Derrick's favourite, Little Mountain park. Oh yeah, and everyone's favourite Canad Inns Stadium. Make sure you fill in the appropriate form for the stadium request date/game

See ya Monday!