Kent Society Introduction to Refereeing Course

Cost: £35 (Min. Age: 14) over 2 evenings

This course has been designed specifically for those who wish to start their refereeing career at age-grade or senior level.

This course will provide you with a solid basis on which you can continue to build and improve your skills as a referee.

By the end of the course the delegates will:

  • Identify the qualities of a good referee
  • Identify the required behaviours, attitudes, skills & knowledge of a referee
  • Learn how to communicate as a referee
  • Identify and practice key skills in a practical situation
  • How to handle foul play

The course is a mixture of practical and classroom based activities. Delegates must be aged 14 years of age or over. No prior experience is necessary. Having completed this course you are eligible to join the Referee Society and develop your refereeing further.

You can register your interest for our next Introduction to Refereeing Course by contacting our administrator using the ‘Get in Touch’ link at the bottom of the page.


England Rugby Referee Award (ERRA)– Refereeing the 15-a-side Game

Cost: £85 (Min. Age: 14) over 2 days

This course is for new and developing referees wanting to referee the 15-a-side game and will equip candidates with the skills and confidence to do so effectively. It is delivered using a mixture of practical and classroom based activities.

By the end of the course the delegates will:

  • Have developed their refereeing goals and understand the principles of play
  • Understand how to plan and prepare to referee
  • Understand how to referee players of different ages and levels of experience
  • Be able to referee rugby union matches
  • Analyse their own performance and feedback from others and improve performance as a referee

The course is a mixture of practical and classroom based activities. Delegates must be aged 14 years of age or over.


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

If you need further advice on how to start refereeing or choosing an appropriate course, please contact our administrator using our contact page. You can register your interest for our next Introduction to Refereeing Course by contacting our administrator using the ‘Get in Touch’ link at the bottom of the page.

If you want to book on an ERRA course, go to the Englandrugby.com online course booking system, which allows you to search by course type, region, postcode or date before booking and paying for your course.

To host a course at your club, school or university, contact your region’s member of the Area Training Team, Matt Watts mattwatts@rfu.com