Richard explains, “It is vitally important that everyone involved in coaching or managing teams at clubs and schools throughout the province adhere to the IRFU’s policy.
"It states all rugby matches played under the Laws of the Game (including U19 Variations) are refereed by Members of the Branch Referee Association/Society. or IRFU Affiliate Referees (appointed by their club/school)."
To clarify, any match played at Under 13 level or above should be facilitated by a qualified Affiliate Referee, or an officially appointed USRFR referee.
Unfortunately, the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees are not in a position to appoint officials to every single match that takes place each week.
This is where the Affiliate Referee scheme allows teachers and coaches, and indeed any interested person, to referee these matches after completing a basic refereeing qualification.
Please refer to the IRFU Affiliate Referee policy for further details.
In the past, anyone interested in becoming an Affiliate Referee had to attend an in person workshop every four years. The process has now changed, and Richard is keen to remind people that the course is now accessed online, via the IRFU’s Gainline platform.
The course can be accessed by following this link.
Whilst there is a small fee to complete the course, the benefits of completing it online are huge.
The course can be completed in a person’s own time and at a time and place that suits them. Another benefit of the online course is that individuals, as well as their club and/or school can keep an exact record of whether they are qualified or not, via the Gainline platform which every registered individual will have access to.
There are two parts to the course:
Step One - Modules
- Laws of the game
- Concussion Awareness for General Public
Step Two – Complete the IRFU Affiliate Referee course
Once completed and certification is achieved, the qualification lasts for two full years.
Richard would specifically highlight the importance of the Concussion module and remind anyone completing the course, and indeed the wider rugby public, that a referee has the power to remove a player under Law 3.24 ‘Recognise and Remove’.
Another exciting development with the Affiliate Referee course is that the minimum age requirement for completing the course has been reduced to 16.
This will enable any club or school to appoint suitably qualified and able individuals to referee matches within their own club/school at a level appropriate to them.
Richard comments: “This is an exciting development within our refereeing structures in Ireland. Whilst the onus will very much be on each individual club or school to manage all of their Affiliate Referees carefully, particular attention should be paid to the policy around 16-18 years olds."
"Moving forward, this can only benefit the overall quality and quantity of referees in the province and I am hopeful that many young referees will consider joining the USRFR when they turn 18."
To assist Affiliate Referees with some practical skills and some further information, the Ulster Rugby Development Department plan to hold two workshops.
To sign up for the course in Belfast on Tuesday 4th October at 6pm, follow this link.
To sign up for the course in Omagh on Monday 24th October at 6pm, follow this link.
For further details on all aspects of refereeing, please visit the following link.