We are the Manchester & District Rugby Union Referees’ Society Ltd (M&DRURS or “the Society”) and were formed in 1902. The Society became a Company Limited by Guarantee on 18 April 2019.
Aim of the Society
The aim of the Society is to work together for the benefit of its members, engaging in activities that support and advance the development of referees and the game of rugby union.
We appoint referees and assistant referees to 100 clubs, universities, colleges and schools for men’s, women’s and junior matches. In a typical season the Society appoints officials to almost 4,000 games.
How the Society is organised
The Society is run by an Executive Committee (EC) that is elected at the Annual General Meeting by its members. These include active and ex-referees, match observers (who watch and advise referees), associates, honorary members and clubs.
The EC appoints, and is supported by, a number of committees (e.g. Appointments and Grading) and officers (e.g. for recruitment and referees’ kit). They have responsibility for various aspects of the Society’s operations. All these positions are voluntary; the Society is totally reliant on the enthusiasm and dedication of its volunteers.
In addition, the Society works closely with the Liverpool Society and the NW Association administrators and referees to ensure that, wherever possible, no game in the Manchester area is without a referee.
How the Society supports its referees
The Society provides support to its referees in numerous ways. We will try and do all we can to help referees gain the most enjoyment from their refereeing and, if they want to and are good enough, to progress through the grades.
For example, the Society runs a programme of meetings and events throughout the season to help members deepen and broaden their understanding of refereeing.
The Society can be contacted by email (madrefs.info@gmail.com).
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