REFEREE DEVELOPMENT

Each referee is ultimately responsible for his or her own development.  The study of the laws and coaching materials, viewing of other referees on videotape and in person, obtaining constructive criticism from players, coaches, and other referees about one’s performance, and fitness maintenance are the referee’s sole obligation. 

However, it is one of the goals of the Society to do everything it can to assist a referee’s quest for improvement.  While occasional clinics are held, coaching information is distributed, and critique sheets are made available to the referees, the primary focus is the individual coaching of the referee by the members of the SERRS Development Committee.

 This Committee consists of the Referee Development Officer, the President of the Society, and any person the President nominates.

In addition to providing as many opportunities for coaching and evaluation within the Society, SERRS also sends referees through its exchange programs to other areas for outside evaluation, and occasionally brings territorial and national evaluators to the area. 

 As a local Society, SERRS is responsible for determining the grade of all junior referees from entry level C-4 through C-3, 2, 1, which is the highest grade a local Society may bestow.  B-panel grades are the responsibility of the Zone referee committee.  National Panel (National Panel) and National Developmental (Focus Panel) grades are the responsibility of the national referee committee (USARRA).

Administrators in SERRS have attempted to comply with current efforts nationally for establishing and maintaining very high standards for local grades particularly that to attain the grade of C-1.   No referee may carry the grade of C-1 unless they are a full time, fit, experienced, and a committed rugby referee. Upon the recommendation of the Referee Development Officer, the President, with the approval of the Board, may demote a referee, as referee grades are not lifetime awards.  They are meant to indicate the current level or standard of one’s refereeing.  If a referee goes inactive for an extended period of time or does not maintain his or her standard of refereeing (including fitness), his or her grade may be adjusted accordingly.

More information on referee grades and competencies.