Hope all those that refereed last weekend enjoyed their games, the weather certainly seems to be with us at the moment although I was hoping for a drop in temperature coming into this weekend!
The Weekend Ahead – It’s going to be Hot
This week has seen temperatures rise up into the late twenties with expectations continuing into the weekend. With all games, Players Welfare and Safety is paramount, as with frozen pitches during the winter check the playing surface to ensure it is safe for the players – can it take a stud? when a player goes to ground will it cushion them or does it feel like falling on concrete?
Unsafe pitch
“If either team objects to the state of the pitch, they must tell the referee before the match starts. The referee must not start the match if he believes that the pitch is unfit and therefore potentially dangerous (whatever the teams say). The referee can also stop a match once it has started if he decides that it is unfit.
If both teams believe the ground to be unsafe then the match does not take place. If one team believes the ground is safe and the other disagrees, the referee cannot force a team to play. The decision as to whether to play or not must be taken by the team’s coach.”
With regards water breaks these can be held at the quarter mark in each half. On the 20 / 60 minute mark at a relevant break in play, try scored, lineout or scrum or penalty (the online recommendation from searching is in and around the halfway line), pause for 1-2 minutes to allow players and yourself to get on much needed fluids. Once finished restart the game as per the stop in play.
During the game we recommend keeping an eye out for flagging players and don’t worry about stopping the game as Player Welfare is paramount.
In the pre match briefs / toss confirm with the captains ensuring everyone is on the same page.
From a refereeing point ensure you have plenty of fluids along with suncream.
Match Official Abuse
We have received a letter from Michael Priestley at the RFU explaining the process surrounding Match Official Abuse. The letter will be placed on our website under Forms. I have also included the full contents below, please review:
As the new season approaches in earnest, we hope that you have enjoyed the off season and some well-earned time off from rugby.
At the RFRU AGM held on 25 Jun 23, we had discussions around the issue of Match Official Abuse (MOA) and we updated on the work we have been doing with RFU Discipline over the last season.
In summary, the updated definitions of what MOA is are now in Regulations, The CB Discipline Conference will drive for consistency in how MOA is managed and also underpin the importance of reporting outcomes. We continue to strive to ensure that the “victim” is treated as such and provided the necessary support.
From last season’s Match Official Survey co-ordinated between the RFU Game Development staff and RFU Discipline, it is clear that Match Official Abuse (MOA) continues to be reported as increasing across the game. The survey also has demonstrated that some referees are unsure how to report instances of MOA.
The RFRU Board wishes to reassure referees and members that it remains a top priority for us, and we regularly engage on this issue; at our last Board meeting we had a briefing from Head of RFU Discipline and I was able to put directly to him the concerns raised at our AGM.
This note serves as a reminder for referees and referees’ societies on the definition of MOA and the ways in which MOA can and should be reported.
MOA, can and is split into several domains,
- disrespecting the authority of a Match Official (MO),
- verbal abuse,
- using threatening actions or words towards a match official,
- making physical contact with a MO or physical abuse.
Disrespecting the authority of a MO; although possibly of a low level, is persistent and despite warning or use of escalating sanctions (Ask, Tell, Penalise), challenging a MO, with the use of swearing could warrant a red card.
Verbal abuse is whereby foul or offensive language is directly aimed at a MO. This could include an attack on the integrity of a MO, regardless of any foul or offensive language. Often to distinguish verbal abuse from disrespect, a qualifier of you as a person has been added to any swearing. When it is personally directed at you, i.e., the use of ‘you’re’ this is verbal abuse and should receive a red card sanction.
Threatening actions or words towards a MO, are a specific threat to a MO and warrants a red card.
Physical contact of a MO, whereby incidental contact, which is non-intentional and merely more than an accident, warrants a red card.
Although, rare, physical abuse, contact intentionally made with a MO, will warrant a Red Card.
MOA forms are available via societies’ and RFU website, and if a Red Card is issued, a Red Card Form can also be submitted. If you have any difficulties accessing or with filling in a form, please do not hesitate to contact [your society, RFRU, RFU].
For reference a guide to MOA is located: https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/2f/2fc5e040-982d-48c7-a077-45937e207f43/MOA%20Guidance.pdf
We also want to share the best practice that we are sure exists in societies (either in training updates, preparation of match officials (how to manage / deescalate such situations), reporting, support to victims etc)
If societies, have any best practice we would be delighted to share it to benefit the wider MO community. Please snd any useful examples of best practice the the RFRU Secretary Dr Adam White (adam.white@rfru.co.uk)
If you have any questions or of concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the RFRU representative who is working closely with RFU Discipline (Nathan Howarth – nathanref@hotmail.co.uk).
Thank You and good luck for the Season ahead
Michael Priestley
Chair, RFRU
Next Training Date
Thanks to all of those that have attended the training sessions thus far over the summer. As mentioned in the close season we plan to hold regular sessions throughout the season moving around the different venues.
The next session is as follows:
19 September @ 7pm
Location – Edwardians Rugby Club, Streetsbrook Road, Solihull, B90 3PE
Items for discussion are:
- Tackle Height Laws – How these have been implemented and your experiences so far
- Match regulations – for example; how many subs, interchanges and the management of these
- Q&A Sessions
We will put out a poll on our facebook page to get an idea of numbers for the session so keep your eyes peeled.
That’s all for this week, hope you find the above an interesting read.
Over the coming weeks I would like to pull together a collage of our Referees in action so if you have any pictures please send them through to me – webmaster@northmidsrefs.co.uk.
Enjoy your weekends and the start of the Rugby World Cup…maybe not as an English fan although I keep reminding people of 2007…maybe wishful thinking but there is hope.