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

Stephen Snoddy referees 1,000th match

Stephen Snoddy reached a very significant milestone by officiating at his 1,000th match for the Society on Saturday 27th January when he refereed Wilmslow v Warrington. Stephen said, “It was a wonderful open match played in great spirit by both teams who were out to enjoy their rugby. There were only seven penalties, ... More

Match Official Abuse (MOA): RFU Disciplinary Update

As per the 1st January the Independent Head of the RFU Judiciary has written to all clubs disciplinary officers, please find the attached the note. Of note, case of MOA will have added aggravation by default, 2 weeks for low end, 3 weeks for mid-range, and 4 weeks for high end MOA. This represent a continued working ... 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

Tackle Height DLV Materials – New Material Added, October Society Meeting Presentation

More material has been added below: An extra Society meeting was held on Tuesday 23rd May to cover the Tackle Height Domestic Law Variation. The following materials used at the meeting are now available: October Society Meeting - Tackle Height Presentation Tackle Height - So now we know (presentation on PO#23 ... More

England Rugby – Match Officiating Code of Practice

Message from: Michael Patz (RFU Match Official Development Manager) & Michael Priestley (Chair – Rugby Football Referees’ Union) To: All Society Referees and Match Observers We hope you are all going well, enjoying some local rugby while taking in the Rugby World Cup 2023. We all love our ... More

Discriminatory Language – Open Letter from the RFRU Chair

Michael Priestly, Chair of the Rugby Football Referees Union (RFRU),  sent an open letter for the attention of all match officials. It is dated the 18th September and covers the reporting of discriminatory language either heard or reported during a match. The letter can be downloaded from here.   More

Andy McMillan presented with the first Alan Farmer Award for Outstanding Service to the Society

Congratulations to Andy who was presented with the first Alan Farmer award for outstanding service to the Society. The presentation was done by the Society President John Jeskins at the Society's AGM.   More

Value the Volunteer Awards Presented to Jon Rooke and Andy McMillan

Congratulations to Jon Rooke and Andy McMillan who were both presented with @hondaukcars@englandrugby Value the Volunteer awards. Jon for his work with establishing a very successful group of YMO referees and Andy for his long and innovative work as Training and Development Officer for the Society. More