29 Nov Sign Up for New Referees Course in Enniscorthy

Leinster Rugby will be holding a New Referees Course in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy on Saturday 14, January 2023. The course is open to those aged 18 – 59, who would like to take up refereeing as a hobby and become members of Leinster Rugby Referees.

Referees provide a vital function in servicing all levels of the game. Whether you aspire to referee at the highest level or to referee locally, there is a place for you. There are excellent support structures to develop referees and a thriving social aspect too.

Steps to becoming a referee

1. Register your interest in attending the New Referees Course. Simply contact Seán Gallagher on sean.gallagher@irfu.ie  He is the Referee Development Manager and will be delighted to talk you through the process to get started.
2. The New Referees Course is a one-day course which will explore the basics of refereeing. It is interactive with several presenters from the Leinster Branch Referees. Once you complete this one-day course, you become a trainee referee.
3. The next step is to get out on the pitch. Trainee referees are appointed to referee at age-grade level and touch judge for more experienced referees. Mentors will be on hand to support trainee referees as they begin their refereeing journey.
4. Trainee referees receive further off-field development, with workshops on specific areas of the game in the weeks following the New Referees Course. These include technical sessions on the breakdown, scrum and lineout, along with general education on control, communication and positioning.
5. Once trainee referees have shown a high level of ability, commitment and fitness they will be evaluated and made full members of the Leinster Branch Referees.

Benefits of refereeing

There are several benefits to becoming a referee.

• Refereeing is a great way to stay involved in the game. You are in the thick of the action on the pitch.
• Fitness is a key element to refereeing and provides our referees with a great incentive to maintain their fitness.
• Education is an ongoing part of being a referee.
• There are monthly meetings to keep all referees up to date with all aspects of the law.
• This means our referees are constantly learning and up to date with the latest law changes and interpretations.
• Whatever level you aspire to referee at there is a place for you – refereeing age-grade games in your area, or adult games throughout your province.
• For referees who perform at a consistently high level there are opportunities to referee nationally in the Energia All Ireland League.
• There is an excellent social aspect to refereeing. You will meet a broad range of new people and forge new friendships.
• You will gain membership to Leinster Rugby Referees Association. Benefits of this include access to tickets.
• Once you become a full member of the Leinster Rugby Referees Association you will have access to refereeing kit.
• This is exclusive to members and the gear is supplied by the province’s official kit supplier.