Friday Bulletin: New season: let’s GO!

Important!

Please read to the end, this bulletin has vital information relating to refereeing this season, relevant for all referees, developers and mentors

Behaviour towards Referees

A key message directly from the RFU this season is that there is to be a total ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against abuse of match officials, and that there will be a ‘better’ process for dealing with this and protecting referees during that process. The documents below give all the necessary detail, please ensure you read them before your first match appointment. It is absolutely crucial that we all follow the same procedures to protect ourselves and our fellow referees from abusive behaviour, and these documents are very clear about what you should and should not accept as behaviour towards you as a match official.

Click here to read the results of the RFU’s referee survey on Match Official Abuse from May 2022

Click here to read an update on action being taken by the RFU

Click here to read the RFU’s guide on how to deal with Match Official Abuse

Click here to read the presentation given by our Chair at the meeting on 30 August (requires PowerPoint)

It has already been pointed out that this zero-tolerance policy may lead to a higher number of Red Cards in the early part of the season, but that this should not deter match officials from issuing them in accordance with the guidance above. Please ensure that you complete the appropriate form which can be found on our ‘Useful Documents’ page, and note that the abuse of match officials is covered by Law 9.28 (foul play), and not by Law 6 (match officials): it will be worth reiterating this to captains and teams in your pre-match briefings.

Other pre-season reminders

Our training Director Neil presented some useful pointers on refereeing the ‘big 5’ (scrum, lineout, maul, ruck, tackle). Click here to access his notes on this presentation

Six Nations

The window is now open for purchasing tickets for the Six Nations matches featuring England. Please email any ticket requirements to Dave Thomas dave@yoyomail.com