Exeter Centurions

The Match Officials Strategy Group met last week as part of the RFL’s drive to increase the number of Rugby League Match Officials across the sport and improve standards across the community game.

The group discussed a number of issues regarding Match Officials and also learnt that there has been an increase of 69 new Match Officials available to appoint nationally in the three months from September to December. The total increase for 2011 was 202.

At the meeting there was a proposal to introduce a new foundation level course for players; this will be a two hour introduction for experienced players wishing to convert to Match Officials that will allow candidates to officiate at selected matches as development referees.

A second parents foundation course for non-experienced candidates such as parents is also being worked up. All candidates will then be classed as working towards level one.

A review was carried out of the course content and the Level one course which was previously the foundation course is to be redesigned to offer a more in-depth course to follow up foundation courses.

Pilot Match Officials coaching courses will be delivered in January 2012 and all Match Official Development Officers and full time Match Officials will be qualified as Match Official coaches.

The Match Officials Strategy Group consists of representatives from both the professional and community game and is chaired by the RFL’s Director of Participation, David Gent.

Being a qualified Match Official can open a lot of doors and provides some great opportunities to remain involved in Rugby League and stay fit while earning money at the same time.

There are opportunities for Match Officials at all levels of the sport and everyone is catered for, so if you only want to referee on Sunday morning or Wednesday afternoon, that’s fine.

Alternatively if you want to progress to officiating at the highest level of the sport there are also pathways in place to help you advance.


For more information about becoming a Rugby League Match Official visit: www.therfl.co.uk/referee