Become a referee and take charge - WP Rugby Referee

What previous experiencedo I need?People with previous playing experience havean advantage over someone who’s neverplayed, but this is not a limiting factor. If you’reprepared to put in the effort, watch school andclub games, and matches on TV, and diligentlyfollow the training programme, there’s no doubtyou can become a competent referee.What is the trainingprogramme?There are a number of core courses that needto be successfully completed before you cantake up the whistle.International Rugby Board (IRB) Level One –Introducing Officiating*This is an eight-hour programme designedto enable budding referees to acquire thebasic skills to officiate safely and enjoyably. Itincludes the playing charter, individual coreskills, communication, positional play and therole of the touch judge.IRB Level Two – Developing Officiating Skills*This is a 16-hour, more comprehensivecourse covering refereeing principles, riskmanagement, advantage, and openand set phases.IRB Assistant Referee*Where there are suitably trained touch judgesin place, their function has been upgradedto that of Assistant Referee. This upgradeentitles them to play a more meaningful role inthe administration of the game and provide anadditional set of eyes and ears for the refereeto rely on.* More details on the content of these coursesis available on the IRB website, www.irb.comBokSmartAll referees and coaches in SouthAfrica must undergo a BokSmart safetycourse. The objective of this programme isto ensure coaches and referees encourageand enforce high levels of player safetyin order to minimise player injuries. Thiscertification is valid for two years and mustbe renewed as required.National ExamEvery year referees must write the NationalLaws Examination. This is done on a provincialbasis at a date and time coordinated by theprovincial referee society.Fitness TestsAll referees must undergo regular fitnesstests as the ability to keep up with play andbe in a suitable state to make clear andrational decisions is what the role is all about.These typically occur at the beginning of andmidway through the season. The standardmeasurement tool is a multi-stage fitnesstest commonly known as the Bleep Test. It’sa widely acknowledged tool to measure anathlete’s VO 2max state.Results from the Bleep Test are one of thecriteria used to promote or relegate referees.A referee on any of the SA Rugby-controlledpanels will need to meet or exceed a BleepTest of 12.5.2