Some pages on the website have now been updated. Click on the links below to access the relevant pages and see what’s new:

• A new Question has been asked of The Law Expert (and answered!)
• The Useful Refereeing Documents page now has a useful downloadable document relating to boot studs
• The Reviewer/Developer page now has all the relevant documents a Reviewer should require

Please continue to check and explore the website regularly for updates and information. If there is anything missing or that you cannot find, please email webmaster@northmidsrefs.co.uk

Some of you may know about this dreadful injury already, it has been on local television and other media. Ashley was injured whilst playing for Redditch against Cannock. A Gofundme account has been started. If you wish to donate please search for the account in the name Ashley Mooney, or click here to be taken to the appropriate page

The background to the appeal is shown below.

Ashley Mooney is 29 years old (30 on the 13th October!) and plays rugby for Redditch Rugby Club and represents England for the Fire service Rugby team also. Not only is he a keen rugby player, he works incredibly hard as an ‘on call’ firefighter for Hereford & Worcestershire Fire Service and is self-employed, running his business, ASM Developments, a landscaping and roofing company.

Unfortunately, Ashley was seriously injured during a rugby game on 2nd October 2021, where he broke his neck, damaged his spinal cord and it is apparent that his injuries are life-changing. Ashley has currently lost use of both of his hands and from his chest down and remains in hospital, on a ventilator and will remain in hospital for a minimum of 6 weeks. Afterward, he will be transferred to a specialist spinal injury rehabilitation centre in Wales for further treatment for several months. Upon his release, his rehabilitative journey will continue. Therefore, Ashley is likely to be in hospital for the foreseeable future.

What the future looks like currently, is very uncertain. All that is known, is that there is a very long road ahead. Anyone who knows Ashley will know that he is lucky enough to have an incredible support network comprising of his wife, Victoria, his stepson, Blake, parents, Vanda and Sean and siblings Abbie and Luke. As well as the rest of his wonderful family and friends, who are all a constant pillar of strength for Ashley. If love and physical support were all that were required, Ashley would have an abundance. However, unfortunately support doesn’t just come in that form. Ashley and Victoria are both self-employed and currently have no income coming into their home, his fire service wage only pays for the times he attends. Whilst Ashley remains in hospital, his Father, Sean and brother, Luke, are attempting to organise his business for him and Victoria is currently not working whilst she is ensuring Ashley’s needs are met and so things are naturally going to be tight for them.Therefore, we want to support the family and we urge you to donate to this page, which will help to provide some financial security for the family, aid their future and relieve the financial burden that they are currently facing.Thank you very much.

Another update from the Society Website:

Have you ever had a burning question about interpreting the Laws of the game, but were embarrassed to ask? Ever wanted to know how you should have managed a particular situation?

Look no further: the website now has a specific page where you can ‘Ask the Expert!’ Simply complete the form on the ‘Ask the Expert’ page, and the answer will be published as soon as it’s received. You will also see some answers to questions already asked.

The section can be found easily as follows;

• By clicking this link
• On the website homepage, under the menu heading ‘Resources’

We hope this proves useful in your day-to-day refereeing!

Thursday 21st October

This week we will be talking about abuse and how as a team we can adopt an approach which is consistent and has been proved to work. We will be concentrating on player behaviour this month

The link for the meeting will be published Tuesday but put that note in your diary now please.

It is a 7.30pm start as the majority wanted