It’s a really important bulletin this week, so please make sure you read to the end!
Next members meeting 7th
The next Society meeting will be this coming Tuesday 7th February, 7pm for a 7.15 start, at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club. This is possibly the most important meeting that the Society will run this year, and it’s vital that as many as possible attend. At the meeting our own Administration Director and RFU Match Official Development head Michael Patz will update us on the current hot topic of tackle height in the community game: if you’re not there, you will miss out on the discussion! In addition there will be an update on Society kit, and some information about the future development of the Society as a whole, plus a section on referees’ mental health and wellbeing.
DBS Checks
It is Society policy that all referees need to have a current DBS check, regardless of whether you ‘only’ referee adult rugby. As RFU regulations permit under certain circumstances 17-year olds (i.e minors) to ‘play up’ in adult game, and as adult teams may also select adults classed as ‘vulnerable’, the Society has a duty to ensure safeguarding of players and referees in all circumstances, and a blanket approach has therefore been adopted. If you do not have a current DBS, or your existing DBS is due to expire within the next month, please contact Rod Blaine immediately by clicking here. IMPORTANT: if you have a DBS from another organisation (e.g you coach minis and juniors at your club, or you are a schoolteacher), your DBS for that activity is NOT valid when you are appointed by the Society.
A Quartet of Presidents!
Despite the cancellations of so many matches over the weekend of 21 January, Old Saltleians RFC were able to play two home games at the official opening of its impressive new facilities at Water Orton. OSRFC President Malcolm Richards was joined by RFU President Nigel Gillingham, NMRFU President Gordon Wood and NMSRFR President John Kelly. Indeed, many other NMRFU committee personnel were present along with ex-players from the last 70 seasons or so and other guests.
A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony took place before Salts 1st XV took to the pitch where a very large crowd saw our own John Kelly referee their 31-16 bonus point win over Camp Hill 1st XV. Society referee Sean O’Sullivan (Y&D) refereed Salts 2nd XV win over Veseyans 2nd XV.
Match Official Development Roadshow
The England Rugby Match Official Development Team are presenting a series of roadshows in order to connect with and hear from a wide variety of community level referees. In our region, the Roadshow will be at Stourbridge Rugby Club on Tuesday 28th March 2023. The event starts with food at 6pm, followed by an open session with the team. To register your attendance and for more details please follow this link