Education

(last updated Sep 12/11). kg

Becoming a rugby union match official is a life-long learning process: first step is iRB certification, then follows regular education sessions, one-on-one referee coaching sessions, and reflective practice – which all to help improve on-field performance and game management.

Every ERURS Match Official has taken at least an iRB Level 1 Officials Course (10 hours) to certify, and most have also taken the iRB Level 2 Officials course – which is an additional 16 hours of classroom time. Almost every ERURS Match Official has been coached or mentored during actual games, and has assisted other referees in the role of Assistant Referee, and even in the roles of 4th, 5th and 6th official when possible. Match Officials continue their education and knowledge of the game by watching international games, reading and studying the rugby laws, and taking advantage of peer sharing opportunities. For those match officials who referee at the highest caliber of game, Provincially, Nationally and Internationally, there are other more specific development opportunities as well.

Becoming a Match Official:

Certify with an iRB Certification Course
Join the ERU Referee Society
Register with Rugby Canada
Attend a Safe Rugby session for the current season
Ask questions!

To continue improving your Match Official performance:

Re-Accredit every 4 years
Learn more at Education Seminars
Participate in Referee Coaching Sessions
Watch International Games on TV
Study the Rugby Union Laws
Read about Rugby Union Officiating

Certify with an iRB Certification Course

There are actually four (4) steps to certify as a rugby union Match Official: attend a course, write a short law exam, get practical experience with guidance, and keep a game journal.

To complete the first step of certification with the iRB Refereeing Course, you will attend the 8 (Level 1) to 16 (Level 2) hours of the course of a day or two, or several weeknights.

After attending the course, you will have a short written exam to complete and return. To complete this second step of certification, you must achieve a mark of at least 80%. You will simply read the Rugby Union Laws and answer the questions assigned. You will return your completed exam responses to the ERURS VP Development Officer. They will mark the exam within one (1) week and let you know of your results. If you do not pass the first time, you will need to review the Laws and correct your incorrect responses.

For the third step, you will referee a game with a coach for support and feedback.

For the fourth step, you will keep a game journal which you will, hopefully, fill out before and after each game where you either observe, assist, or officiate. This step is to encourage reflective practice and is incredibly useful for improving and making consistent your officiating and game management.

The course will cost about $100-$150 depending on the number of attendees. With the Rugby Alberta (RA) and the RA Match Officials Association (RAMOA) budgets being slashed due to various reasons, it is in everyone’s interest to get more people in their clubs involved in officiating.

For any club outside of the Edmonton area, such as the northern clubs of Cold Lake, Edson, Fort Mac, and Grande Prairie; as well the southern areas of Red Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat – please email the RAMOA President now to set up a Match Official certification course in your area.

Join the ERU Referee Society

To join the ERURS, you can contact any of the ERURS Executive Board members and pay the membership fee of $25 for the season. You can pay with either a cheque to the ERURS for $25, or pay cash to the ERURS Secretary or Treasurer in person and get a receipt. As of 2006, newly certified referees get the first year of ERURS membership for free!

Register with Rugby Canada

To register with Rugby Canada as a Match official, you will complete the form provided by the ERURS Secretary. You will return your completed form to the ERURS Secretary, and the ERURS Secretary will register you with Rugby Canada.

Attend a Safe Rugby session for the current season

Safe Rugby is a program prepared by Rugby Canada in order to help all rugby coaches, administrators and referees to make the game of rugby safer for players. All individuals in these positions of responsibility must attend a 2.5 hour Safe Rugby session every year. For more information, use this direct link to the actual RC Safe Rugby resources. Please check the Rugby Alberta website for courses coming up.

The Safe Rugby sessions are FREE.

Ask questions!

Re-Accredit every 4 years

Accredited Match Officials must re-accredit every four (4) years. This means that if an individual took a course in 2006, she or he must re-accredit in 2010.

In the past, the re-accrediting Referee would have to sit through the 16 hour iRB Level 2 course again where they would essentially learn the same thing as they did four years before. Now, the re-accreditation procedure is more efficient and relevant. Now, during the referee’s re-accreditation year he or she must complete five components of:

Activity component: the official is actively refereeing within the last year.
Education component: the official participates in at least 4 hours of Society education seminars.
Law component: the official successfully completes an extensive law exam with a min mark of 80%.
Fitness component: the official completes a timed 2400m run and a 40m sprint.
Registration: the official registers with Rugby Canada.
and always recommended -> Evaluation component: the official receives satisfactory coaching reports.

Learn more at Education Seminars

To take advantage of the knowledge of the members of the ERURS, and to support all Match Officials in development, we organize regular education seminars. This year the seminars will be every second Tuesday of the month (not in December and January as everyone is too busy!!). We also have professionals present on special occasions!

Participate in Referee Coaching Sessions

The ERURS has 9 Referee Coaches and currently 32 active referees. We endeavor to have every referee have at least one coaching session per season, and as many as three coaching sessions when possible. You may see a second Match Official wandering around during the game making notes and keeping statistics, this is most likely the Referee’s Coach.

Watch International Games