Nigel Longley receives long service award

Nigel Longley's 50 years' service to the Society was recognised at the October meeting with the presentation of an award from the Chairman, Paul Houston. Nigel, who is an honorary member, joined in 1974. After many years as a referee he became a match observer. He subsequently organised the fitness tests for ... More

Is your DBS still valid or do you need one to referee?

Message from: Andrew Lord, Society Safeguarding Officer Safeguarding and DBS Applications / Renewals Some of you will find that your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) accreditation is expiring soon, or may already have expired. For those members who wish to officiate at matches involving players under the age of ... More

2024/25 Pre-season Meetings – Videos of Presentations Available

Videos of the presentations given by Jonny Cartwright and Simon Vale at the recent pre-season meeting held at Blackburn are now available (similar presentations were given at Sedgley Park a week earlier). New Laws of the Game (24 minutes) New Expenses System plus Sources of Information and Support within the Society ... More

2024 – 2025 Meetings Calendar

The Society's 2024 - 2025 Meetings Calendar is available as a PDF file.  Click on the link below. 2024 - 2025 Meetings Calendar   More

England Rugby Match Official Update

Please follow this link to access the latest issue of the England Rugby Match Official Update: https://bit.ly/MatchOfficialUpdateJune24   Don’t miss out! Use this link to sign up now and join Dusty and John tonight on the Developing the Developers Masterclass call online. Please share this with your membership and ... More

Injured Players Foundation: May Newsletter

Welcome to the May edition of the IPF newsletter! There is so much happening across the IPF that we wanted to take the opportunity to keep you updated with our work. We’ll share all the incredible things that have been happening along with all our plans for the upcoming season. Read on to find out more. ... More

Society April meeting – recording now available

A recording of the session on Refereeing the Quick Game - Positioning and Movement (35 minutes) at the April meeting is now available. (Thanks to Simon Vale for making and preparing the recording.) The session was led by Henry Pearson with contributions from Fred Eckersley and Jack Moorhouse. It included numerous video ... More

Two new PO papers published

Two new Preferred Options (PO) papers, written by Andy McMillan, have just been published: PO#27 – Refereeing open play – the kicking game PO#26 – Focus and Concentration in Refereeing The full series of POs is listed here.     More

World Rugby Law Clarification: Brake Foot and Half Brake Foot

From Michael Patz, RFU Match Official Development Manager Distribution: RFU Referee Society Secretaries RFU Referee Society Training Officers RFRU Representative to RFU Council   RFRU Secretary World Rugby have today issued a formal law clarification following a request from the FFR regarding the brake foot and what ... More

Club Membership Fees and Referees Expenses – New Approach

Club Membership Fees and Referees Expenses - New Approach John Pemberton, Honorary Treasurer, announced at the December meeting the Society’s intention to introduce a new way for charging annual club membership fees and paying referees’ travel expenses. The new approach is to take effect from the start of next ... More