REFEREE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Each referee will be reimbursed for travel (see Referee Reimbursement), except for certain tournaments (e.g., Savannah) that are used for referee development. For such developmental tournaments, the referee may receive a reduced or no travel reimbursement, depending on the Society’s expenses relative to development.
2. Each referee must enroll in the national Club and Individual Participant Program (CIPP) database administered by USA Rugby. Referees can register for CIPP online at www.usarugby.org. Each referee bears the cost of enrollment, including any and all fees to USARRA.
3. It is the policy of USA Rugby that all participants, including referees, be insured for medical injury in an amount not less than $100,000. Each individual is responsible for obtaining and maintaining appropriate medical insurance coverage.
4. Each referee must cover the matches to which he or she is assigned, provided the referee is contacted for confirmation. The only exceptions are when the referee deems that the match cannot be played because of unsafe conditions or as otherwise provided in the Laws of the Game. In the event that a referee has an emergency arise and cannot cover the assignment, the referee should first contact the team for which he or she was scheduled, inform them of his/her status, and notify the SERRS Allocations Officer so that another referee can be assigned, if feasible.
5. For league matches the referee should note the score and sign the forms at the end of the game and turn them over to the winning team. The referee is not responsible for resolving any disputes regarding player eligibility. Any dispute/protest by a team should be noted on the roster forms.
6. In the event of a player send-off (red card), the referee must complete a Send-off Report. The report should be submitted within 24 hours of the incident, but must be submitted no later than 48 hours. In the event a player receives a caution and temporary suspension during a match (yellow card), the player’s full name and CIPP information must be provided in the match report.
7. Each referee is encouraged to become a member of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). This membership will provide each referee with extensive liability insurance against any claims filed while officiating. It also provides, among other things, Assault Protection and Accident Medical benefits.
8. Referees must pay Society dues on a timely basis. Any member not paying dues may be considered a “member not in good standing” and subject to sanctions imposed by the SERRS Board. Sanctions include loss of voting rights at the AGM and may include loss of exchange privileges, loss of coaching/assessment opportunities, and/or suspension or termination of membership.
9. Referees must abide by the scheduling protocols established by the Allocations Officer. Referees should not agree to referee a non-SERRS scheduled match or tournament without discussing this first with the Allocations Officer.
10. Referees must maintain required certification under the rules established by USA Rugby.
11. It is expected that all SERRS referees will act and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. A referee’s failure to abide by this policy or any of the policies and procedures set forth herein may, in the exercise of the Board’s discretion, subject such referee to disciplinary action. Such disciplinary action may include suspension from SERRS, denial of assignments, and/or removal from SERRS.