There are many answers to this question. The most common are to remain active in the sport and to continue enjoying the game.
Other reasons given by those who have taken up the whistle involve being injured, having to stop playing but still wishing to be on the field of play. Some Referees start by being cajoled from being a spectator bribed with promises of copious ale, as there is no one to blow the whistle that afternoon! These reasons, as well as others, are very valid but the key is, like playing, enjoyment.
WHAT IS THERE TO ENJOY ABOUT BEING A REFEREE?
There is the opportunity to travel to new venues, both locally and nationally, and to make new friends in the game.
No matter where you referee, you will be the closest onlooker to the action! You can still feel the atmosphere, the adrenaline still flows, and you get all the beneficial competitive exercise that you can take because you have to be where the play is at all times! You are sprinting against the fast runners, thinking at speed, reading the game with the playmakers and outwitting those who like to test the Referee. Three-dimensional chess at pace!
IT MUST BE VERY DIFFICULT TO REFEREE
Sometimes it can feel like that, especially at the start. However, there is a lot of help that is available from local Referee Societies. If you have played the game, you already have a rudimentary knowledge of what is required, together with an empathy with the players. As you become more experienced, the science and art of refereeing become easier. Nevetherless, every match presents you with a challenge, as no two matches are the same.
ALL RIGHT, WHAT HELP CAN I GET NOW?
Firstly, there is the Mini/Midi Referee Courses developed by the RFU for the under 7 to under 12 age groups. Next is the National Foundation Course, which caters for age groups from under 13 upwards, including adults. Society Training Officers and Regional Referee Trainers in each of the Federations have produced a training calendar of courses. For more details click on http://www.rfu.com/pdfs/referees/calendar.xls for the calendar of course and the contact details of those running them.
Referees Societies have Monthly Meetings throughout the season where aspects of Law and refereeing management are discussed. The interpretations of the Laws are explained and standardised.
Once you have started refereeing there is a development pathway for Referees, Touch Judges, Assessors and Referee Coaches. Each step along the pathway is supported by an Award course. Details of the pathway can be found on the link http://www.rfu.com/pdfs/referees/pathwaypaper.pdf
I HAVE HEARD THAT BEING A REFEREE IS RATHER A LONELY VOCATION
It can feel that way at first, especially when you do not know your way around the various grounds. Also, you may not know very many players or administrators in the clubs, particularly if you have not played rugby for some years. This is where your attendance at Society meetings can help you to get into the swing of things and meet other referees. You will quickly become recognised and welcomed by players and club officials. The feeling of being part of the local rugby scene happens quicker than you would probably expect.
Referee Societies and the Referee Department are trying to improve communications to reduce the feeling that you are alone. You can help yourself, and others, by joining in Society meetings and other functions.
AT WHAT AGE DO I START TO REFEREE?
There have been many Referees who have started in their early teens. There are some Referees who continue to referee and enjoy it into their sixties.
If you wish to get to the very top then it is advisable to start refereeing as early as possible. If you have been playing into your mid twenties, you will have accumulated sufficient playing experience to give you a good understanding of the game.
OK. I AM YOUNG ENOUGH AND EAGER TO GET TO THE TOP. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
For the exceptional few, it can take a short time. Some have gone to the National Panel (the top 60 or so Referees in the RFU) in two seasons. Also the competition as you progress up the pyramid to the top gets very keen.
But remember a successful referee is not necessarily the one who gets to the top but the one who gives and gets most enjoyment.
There is a well-organised path for referee, assessor and coach progression. A progressing referee will gain experience firstly in Society, then in the Development Squads and finally on the National Panel. The Society will monitor your progress via assessor, referee coach and club comments so that, if you have the ability, you can tackle matches where players are faster and more proficient. You can then progress to enjoying appointments outside your Society’s area and eventually on a nation-wide basis. Your Society, however, will maintain a great interest in your progress and will involve your experiences in its discussion meetings and training schemes.
IS THERE ANY ABUSE OF REFEREES?
There are rare cases of abuse but the RFU and Constituent Bodies penalise very heavily any player or club member shown to be abusive. All clubs, universities and colleges now have to agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for stopping the abuse of Match Officials.
As a Referee concentrating on the match, you tend not to hear it at all. There are often humorous comments made by spectators that may amuse you. As a new Referee you are unlikely to have many spectators, and often not even a Touch Judge. So you can learn your craft quietly and observed only by the players.
DOES ANYONE WATCH ME REFEREEING AT THE START?
During your first few matches, a Referee coach will watch you. They are there to help you and after the match they will discuss some important points to assist your progress. Sometimes you may have interpreted the Laws incorrectly and your observer will advise you on this, but usually the comments will be about the art of refereeing and your management of the game.
Remember though, there is no more powerful a confidence booster than a sound knowledge of the Laws. If you are a member of a Referees’ Society you will be provided each season with the Laws of the game. A Society Meeting and Training Programmes will cover all the aspects of Law as well as signalling, positioning and other forms of communication.
DO I GET PAID TO REFEREE?
At present no, unless you referee at the highest levels. However you will be given your travel mileage reimbursed at the Society standardised rate and most clubs will extend their hospitality to a meal and beverages.
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?
Contact the Number below, for an informal chat, to get a quick insight of where to start.
If you feel you are not fit enough then go along to your local club training sessions and join the players. If you are not confident at first about travelling to other clubs then initially, pending completion of the National Foundation Course, referee at your own club. It might transpire that during this time the local Society might be able to send along a coach to view your progress.
BECOME A REFEREE TODAY AND START GAINING THESE BENEFITS:
HELPING PEOPLE ENJOY A GAME THAT HAS GIVEN YOU SO MUCH PLEASURE.
THE EXHILARATION OF THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL COMPETITION AND GAME MANAGEMENT.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE GAME CLOSE TO THE ACTION.
ESTABLISH A NEW GROUP OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHO SHARE A UNIQUE CAMARADERIE.
FITNESS AND EXERCISE WITH A WORTHWHILE OBJECTIVE.
A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND THE SATISFACTION OF PROVIDING AN INVALUABLE SERVICE.
BUT ABOVE ALL, ENJOYMENT!!!
Keeping Referees
We are all involved in the GAME - Rugby Union Football, but we need to realise the difference between the GAME and the MATCH which is the game in front of us today. Match Officials have a responsibility for the Match AND the Game. Also Players and Coaches have a responsibility for the Match AND the Game, but are they all working together to meet this responsibility?
Referees are constantly reminded about the refereeing priorities. They are:
Safety
Equity
Law
This means that they should have a clear, overall concept of what is acceptable and not acceptable in the Game. This is not always easy.
Referees undergo training on a regular basis and this training is aimed at developing a vision that incorporates values like:
I will ensure that safety takes precedence over anything else.
I will try to manage a match for the enjoyment of all participants.
I will make decisions that reward constructive, legal play and punish negative, illegal play.
I will not condone foul play.
I will referee within the Laws without favour.
This vision for the game needs to be communicated to the participants by behaving in a way that rewards those supporting this vision and working to enlighten those who work against it. This message should take place before, during and after the match.
Every match is important to all the participants, no matter what level and each match needs a referee. Unfortunately there is a shortfall of referees and there are not enough to meet the needs of all clubs. There are fewer people taking up the whistle and there are more referees giving up than there are being recruited.
When one looks at the reasons why referees take up the whistle we find that some want to stay in the Game by putting something back. Others do it to keep fit, whilst there are some who want to progress up the refereeing pathway because they realise that there is an opportunity to operate at a higher level of the Game than when they were playing. Hopefully the vast majority of referees do it because they enjoy it.
Many clubs have a very positive attitude in helping to retain our referees. They encourage players to consider refereeing and welcome referees to their clubs by expressing appreciation of their efforts. They try to show understanding of the difficulties faced by novice referees and help with their development. Clubs can help further by preventing abuse from players, coaches and spectators during and after the match. The referee's task is made easier if 'known trouble makers' are not picked to play and club officials help to eliminate the hostile atmosphere that can follow a match that has been lost. Club officials could be more proactive in not allowing the referee to be blamed for what are often the team's shortcomings.
Unless Clubs take on more responsibility for appreciating the efforts of the referees, even more referees will leave the Game if they continue to feel fed up with being blamed for everything. When there is a shortage of referees, the junior referees may get appointed to more difficult fixtures before they have developed the necessary experience to manage these matches. These matches don’t go well for the players and referees, the players complain and the referees may get poor reports. Hence, another referee gets disillusioned - leaves - and the cycle repeats.
There are wider implications for the Game as a whole if this cycle continues. It will be even more difficult to recruit referees, leaving existing referees with a larger workload, causing some to give up. This will mean more matches taking place without referees, making the matches less enjoyable because players have to play without a neutral, competent referee. Players may well quit the Game, leaving clubs with fewer members, resulting in financial pressure that could force some clubs to fold.
But there is another way. Clubs can support referees, especially when they may have had a bad match or are just starting to learn how to control the players on the pitch. Experienced referees as well as novices, like all players, have an occasional off day and perform below their normal standard. However the match has gone and no matter what the result, club members should be encouraged to talk to the referee and express appreciation for his efforts. This will give the referee to the chance to acknowledge that he’s got plenty to learn, and to speak to the players and coaches to the discuss areas in which to concentrate to improve his refereeing.
If this happens the referee is more likely to enjoy the match and look forward to next week. Everyone enjoys a pint after the game and perhaps players reaching their sell-by-date think ‘This seems like fun, maybe I could stay involved in the Game through refereeing’. When this type of attitude prevails more referees are recruited and current referees aren’t as pressurised to turn out every week (if they don’t want to) and therefore ‘last longer’.
