Friday Bulletin 4 March 2022: “Spring has sprung”

Well, perhaps not quite…But several of the news items this week have one eye on sunnier activities as we head deeper into the business end of the season.

Kick off times

A reminder that as from 1st March, the standard kick off time is pushed back to 3pm now that more daylight is available. Please ensure that you get to your game at the right time!

An International Ref!

More congratulations to our Training Director Neil Chivers, who takes charge of his first International match on Friday evening, officiating the match between Wales U18 and France U18

World Rugby Law Clarification

Following a recent controversial try in a Super Rugby New Zealand match, World Rugby have published a clarification formalising the illegality of ‘jumping/hurdling’ an attempted tackle. The full clarification can be read here

Safeguarding officer role

In view of the growing importance of recruitment and retention, and our increasingly successful YMO programme, the Society is looking to create a new Board role of Safeguarding Officer.

Below is an outline description of the Safeguarding Officer Role:

• To provide support and guidance to all Society members on the Safeguarding Policies of the RFU and our own Society
• To report any matters of concern, in the first instance to the North Midlands CB Safeguarding manager and Chair of the Society
• To attend meetings with Club Safeguarding officers organised by the North Midlands CB (pre-pandemic this was usually an annual event held at a Rugby Club in our area).
• To treat all matters of concern with professionalism and confidentiality.
• To encourage all members of the Society to hold a current RFU specific DBS clearance, and to administrate this process

If YOU feel you could fulfil this important new role please let Kelvin Roberts know by emailing chair@northmidsrefs.co.uk

Summer of Touch!

Spring is (almost here), and with the Easter break around the corner, many of our clubs will already be planning their summer activities, and particularly Touch tournaments. Touch Rugby is a great way for both players and referees to stay mentally and physically fit in the off-season, and is one of the UK’s fastest growing sports for all ages and genders.

In order to ensure consistency of refereeing and interpretation of Touch rules across the many planned informal events this summer, the England Touch Association has offered to run an ‘introduction to refereeing Touch’ course in April 2022 (date tbc), towards the end of the Union season.

The course is open to anyone, whether a qualified referee, current or past player, and to Age-Grade players and YMOs as well, and will be offered at a very nominal fee. Several clubs have already indicated an interest for block bookings; your local club may be one of them!

To express your interest, please complete this simple form by 21st March or email webmaster@northmidsrefs.co.uk for more information