Kent Society of Rugby Football Union Referees

** Application forms for the ELRA courses are available on the Downloads page . If you have already done the ELRA course and want to become an active referee within the Kent Society email: sco@kentrefs.co.uk for an application form.**

Refereeing Rugby matches is a challenging occupation that will keep you mentally as well as physically fit. It is a unique way to be just about as involved in the sport of Rugby as it is possible to become.

The RFU’s 2 day Entry Level Referee Award (ELRA), a 3 Stage award designed to provide new referees with the core skills to be able to referee rugby union.

If you choose to join a Referees Society, then you will be required to complete all 3 Stages of the ELRA.

If, however, you wish to remain only within your own school, club or university, then you need only complete Stages (Days) 1 and 2, which consider the following aspects of refereeing:

• Laws of the Game

• Management and Control

• Problem Solving

• Refereeing the Key Phases of the Game

• Positioning and Communication

• Child Protection.

Crucial to learning is that a significant part of both stages is practically based, for example, all delegates will have an opportunity to observe refereeing in practice, whilst demonstrating individual skills on the field of play.

To host a course for and at your club, school or university, or find a course in the Kent Region, contact your region’s member of the Referee Development Team

To find a course suitable for you to attend, please visit www.rfu.com/referee and choose ELRA Course Calendar from the top referee downloads box.

Ed Turnill - Referee Development Officer London & South East - edturnill@rfu.com - 07894 783373

Dave Broadwell - Referee Development Manager London & South East – davebroadwell@rfu.com – 07802 435745

Onwards and Upwards

After that, the sky's the limit! Progress from then on is largely down to you. If you regularly attend Society Training Meetings and Fitness assessments, make yourself available most weekends for fixtures and keep yourself fit you could easily find yourself rapidly being promoted up through the grades. Promising referees who demonstrate ability and enthusiasm may get invited onto one of the Society Development Squads which will give you access to a personal Coach and a Mentor and you will see your appointments improve giving you a real opportunity to advance.