Referees Corner – Issue 2 – 2020/21 Season v Zebre

What does lockdown look like for referees? Well obviously not a lot was happening on the field at the end of March but unfortunately we weren’t able to meet up in our usual groups and area meetings and therefore the continuous learning process that referees go through, were halted. Happily a new online initiative set up by Irish Rugby refereeing department gave referees across Ireland  the chance to further their development over the summer.

The Down Time Sessions were led by IRFU Referee Development Managers, specifically Sean Gallagher and Sam Holt and featured an IRFU High Performance Referee presenting on one of four topics: Breakdown, Scrum, Positioning and Lineout/Maul. Access to the sessions were delivered through provincial association/society Honorary Secretaries, through an online platform.

“Our referees are continually working to develop their skills. Much of that work takes place away from the pitch and these recent months have been no different. These sessions are an opportunity for Referee Development Managers to continue their excellent work with referees across the four provinces. They also give referees at all levels the chance to interact with our professional referees and gain access to their expertise and their approach. It’s a new way of working for us and we’re looking forward to what it can offer.” David Wilkinson – IRFU Referee Manager

All Irish European Final Team

Congratulations to Leinsters Brian McNeice who was  TMO for Andy Brace for the 2020 Challenge Cup Final on October 16th between Bristol and Toulon. It was great to see an Irish team officiate at the final – Challenge Cup final – Bristol Bears v RC Toulon Friday 16th October – Stade Maurice-David, Aix-en-Provence (8pm)

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire); Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ire), George Clancy (Ire); TMO: Brian McNeice (Ire)

New Season, New Kit

With the much anticipated start of the new season now upon us, the Leinster Rugby Referees are getting a change of kit colour this season. Traditionally, the referees jerseys were yellow and red – technically the jersey was originally green going back to the Arthur Anderson days with another option of white, with a third option which, last season, was blue. As a lot of teams are using these colours, the Leinster Rugby Referees have decided to make a change to pink and orange kits with navy shorts and socks.

Leinster Rugby Referees President David Robb said: “The pink and orange jersey colours are an exciting change for our referees. We have worked hard on our new kit to ensure that our referees have increased kit options available to them, while also increasing the versatility of the kit that we have.

“We are delighted to have Bank of Ireland continue as our sponsor and Adidas as our kit provider and thank the Leinster Branch for their continued and ongoing support of our referees.”

The new kit is currently being distributed throughout the province to all referees.

The Big Rugby Run

The Big Rugby Run was a fundraising team virtual relay challenge for current or past teams from rugby clubs, schools or other rugby groups (including supporters clubs, rugby businesses & more) across Ireland to raise funds for Feed The Heroes. Feed The Heroes is a fundraising movement that is doing amazing work #fuellingthefrontline through the provision of essential and nutritious meals to Frontline Heroes fighting COVID-19 in Ireland. Leinster Rugby Referees took part in the Big Rugby Run over the summer raising €2145 in total. Not bad for a Saturday mornings work. A special shout out goes to Chris Reynolds who ran his leg of the relay in Somalia.

Want to get involved? 

Feel free to make contact with the Leinster Rugby Referees at hayley.whyte@leinsterrugby.ie  If you are interested in becoming a referee get in contact with us through our Facebook and Google + pages, our website www.arlb.ie or through twitter @leinsterreferee.