New PO paper published – July 2025 Law changes

At the April meeting, Andy McMillan introduced the latest Preferred Options (PO) paper: PO#30 – Implementing law changes EFFECTIVE FROM 1st JULY 2025 Please note that these changes do not apply to the remaining matches for this season (2024/25). The full series of POs is listed here.     More

Andy Dawson – Wake Arrangements

  We have been told that there will be a wake for Andy Dawson to which Society members are invited. It will take place at The Ley Inn, Back Lane, Clayton le Woods, Chorley, PR6 7EU on Saturday 10th May from 3.30pm to about 6pm. If you would like to attend, please let the Honorary Secretary know by email before ... More

RFU Competition Updates and Reminders

The RFU have published updates and reminders for its competitions. The information was circulated to clubs and referee societies. Of most relevance to referees is the section on the "man-off" regulation. More

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