Lack of Referees

[Dribblywhistle]

smileys/redface.gif


As many of youplayers may know there is a chronic shortage of referees in virtually every sport and rugby is no exception. This dearth of referees has now transcended club and provincial levels and has become a game issue. If anyone is interested there is a new referee workshop in Mallow GAA club on the 14th Sept all are welcome!

[Balla Boy]

Massive problem in England as well. Mini Rugby coaching has drawn off a number of people willing to volunteer time to the game.


One of the things that might fix it is likely to lead to other, equally challenging, problems. I think more people would volunteer to ref games if they could do so at their own club. It's the fact that neutral refs are needed, and so people have to give up the social atmosphere of a club, that makes it such a recruitment head ache.

[Combatlogo]

smileys/redface.gif


As many of youplayers may know there is a chronic shortage of referees in virtually every sport and rugby is no exception. This dearth of referees has now transcended club and provincial levels and has become a game issue. If anyone is interested there is a new referee workshop in Mallow GAA club on the 14th Sept all are welcome!





Sporting ecunemism in Cork, fair play.

[Arthur Guinness]

smileys/redface.gif


As many of youplayers may know there is a chronic shortage of referees in virtually every sport and rugby is no exception. This dearth of referees has now transcended club and provincial levels and has become a game issue. If anyone is interested there is a new referee workshop in Mallow GAA club on the 14th Sept all are welcome!





Sporting ecunemism in Cork, fair play.





And why not? The Munster team train there from time to time.

[Krusty]

They made a fine job of that place - link (http://www.mallowgaasportscomplex.com/)

[Blindsider.]

Balla - we have Associate refs here now, don't know if they are common in the UK.

Associate refs do underage games at their own clubs - they do a 1 day course (or similar)

The problem with reffing at your own club is the constant haranguing from the biggest gimp in the club, and the parents.

It starts with the 'Sure how could you ref? You know nothing.[Snigger]' It then progresses to 'How did you miss the knock-on/late tackle/foot in touch etc' and ends up in 'Sure, you'll never be any good as a ref...' or 'You're ONLY an associate ref'

At least the MAR refs have a degree of neutrality, by being 'on foreign ground' and they have the support of other refs etc. They can walk away from the obnoxious fools, and if it gets bad, report them.



I know a couple of MAR refs, and they say that reffing increases their enjoyment of the game no end, and they seem to have good craic.

Would be worth trying for someone who's interested.

[Mucky Boots]

The MAR's treatment of referees hasn't exactly helped to raise the numbers.

[McCloud]

Eh?

[Mucky Boots]

Organising further training in Cork and Limerick doesn't help members who aren't based in those locations who aren't driving, nor does failing to reply to any efforts made by an individual to correspond with the MAR.

[Balla Boy]

Balla - we have Associate refs here now, don't know if they are common in the UK.

Associate refs do underage games at their own clubs - they do a 1 day course (or similar)

The problem with reffing at your own club is the constant haranguing from the biggest gimp in the club, and the parents.

It starts with the 'Sure how could you ref? You know nothing.[Snigger]' It then progresses to 'How did you miss the knock-on/late tackle/foot in touch etc' and ends up in 'Sure, you'll never be any good as a ref...' or 'You're ONLY an associate ref'

At least the MAR refs have a degree of neutrality, by being 'on foreign ground' and they have the support of other refs etc. They can walk away from the obnoxious fools, and if it gets bad, report them.



I know a couple of MAR refs, and they say that reffing increases their enjoyment of the game no end, and they seem to have good craic.

Would be worth trying for someone who's interested.



There is a similar thing here, though less formal. It tends to be those with the coaching qualifications who are called on to ref - and I recognise all of the problems you mention.


I know a few guys though that have retired recently, and would have thought about reffing a few years ago. But the growth in demand for minis means that they can stay involved that way, still be a full part of the club, still be down the club house etc etc.


In contrast, a lonely trip out to some club where you don't know anyone doesn't always seem like a great way to spend your Saturday afternoon.


I respect the guys that do it and want to maintain the game, but rugby for me is all about that social element of club membership. With that out of the equation, I can think of lots of things I'd rather do than give up a Saturday afternoon to travel out to another club.


But, if I jacked in playing and could ref our 2nd or 3rd XV I think I'd be more willing to put my hand up.

[McCloud]

In minis you have to do the one day course plus a refresher every 3 years before reffing any match.

[jules]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/750_8283.php

[Corker]

In minis you have to do the one day course plus a refresher every 3 years before reffing any match. And you still get done for reffing on away blitz days even though you technically shouldn't.


Is it this season we have to refresh ours McCloud ?

[McCloud]

Did mine at the end of las season Corker.

[Corker]

Probably won't get to do mine anyway unless it's at a weekend.

[heinekenhopeful]

Associate refs do underage games at their own clubs - they do a 1 day course (or similar) </span><br style="font-weight: bold;">



I did mine with the Leinster branch being a member of Carlow, the course lasted all of an hour and a half. Although there was tea and biscuits at the end..

[swfc]

as an ex ail player i dont think enough is being done to get retiring players to take up refering.i think they make the best ref as they understand the game.there is alot of ref at ail level who havent a clue and are so poor.i hate to think what the standard of refering is like at the lower levels.i assume awful.having said that there is some good up and coming refs in ireland so mybe the future of refering is bright.