Referees Corner – Issue 3 – 2019/20

A very warm welcome to todays officiating team, we wish them well. As mentioned in the first issue of Referees Corner from this season, Norman Carter or Roscrea RFC was elected President of the Leinster Rugby Referees earlier this season. Here is what Norman had to say about his appointment.

“I am honoured to be President of the Association of Referees Leinster Branch for the season 2019-2020, I am the 101st person to hold this position. I joined the ARLB in 1987 and was fortunate to remain fit and committed enough to be an active referee for 30 years During the last 3 years as an active referee I was the Midland’s Area Rep on the ARLB Exec. I am the second person from my club Roscrea RFC to be President following the late Gerard P Maher 2004-2005 The ARLB has many dedicated members who contribute to the successful running of the Association both on and off the field. In excess of 5000 appointment are completed each season and this is expected to increase particularly with more girls and women now playing rugby.

Last season 32 new members successfully completed trials and were elected full members. We are always looking to recruit new members and have the structures and training programmes in place to ensure that every referee can achieve their potential with the possibility of refereeing at the highest level. I also want to thank those referees who are no longer active and have progressed to take up roles as coaches, mentors, selectors, assessors, administrators, etc. I wish every member the very best for the 2019-2020 season” We of course wish Norman the very best for this season also.

Our Club, Your Club with Paul Dolan

As a referee steps out onto the pitch to officiate a game of rugby they are representing Leinster Rugby Referees. Whatever the level or competition, be it underage, schools, junior rugby or touch judging at AIL games, our referees are identifiable as Leinster Rugby Referees in the jersey we wear, it’s our club.

Most of our referees however, started their rugby journey by playing for their school and/or club and ultimately, for our referees the question that is almost always asked by a host club’s president as they welcome us into their clubhouse for some post game refreshments is – “What club are you from?” closely followed by the question “How are they going this year?” or “Is such and such still playing for them?”. It reminds us that rugby is a close knit community and when we step onto and off of that pitch we’re representing two clubs.

There are 64 rugby clubs that span the length and breadth of the province represented each and every weekend by a referee, if you don’t see your club listed and you feel they should be then you’ll be very welcome to join our club as well.

Know Your Law?

We throw a few law questions up on our facebook page each week so referees can test their own law knowledge. We’ve not had 100% on any of them yet. How would you get on? Answers at the bottom.

1. If the ball is dropped to the ground in a maul, the Laws of the ruck must be applied. True or false?
2. The ball is still on the ground in a ruck. The half-back at the back of the ruck dummies a pass as if the ball were out of the ruck. The referee should: Play On or Free Kick
3. At a ruck, the ball comes out, but the receiving player kicks it back into the ruck. What should the referee do? Play on or free kick

Have you got what it takes? The Leinster Referees always need more referees and opting to become one may be the best decision you’ve made for a long time. We will have more courses in the next few months.

Feel free to make contact with the Leinster Rugby Referees at hayley.whyte@leinsterrugby.ie contact by phone Hayley Whyte at 01-2235107 or Sam Holt sam.holt@leinsterrugby.ie

If you are interested in becoming a referee get in contact with us through our Facebook, our website www.arlb.ie or through twitter @leinsterreferee.

Answers: 1. True 2. Free Kick 3. Free Kick