Welcome to the page of the site dedicated to one of our most valuable resources - our referees! We hope anyone hoping to, or currently reff'ing around the country will find the information they require here about training & development, courses and all the events this Spring and Summer at which their expertise is needed. If you require any further information, please contact Chris Wheeler, National Director of Referees, m: 07973 386 970 chris@englandtouchrugby.org.uk
SUMMARY OF SEASON AHEAD for referees
It is going to be a busy season, with the NTS series in its 3rd year, a whole host of international tournaments and of course, England hosting the Euros.
There is something for everyone, with courses for beginners as well as the opportunity to improve on your badge level – remember, the Euros will be the only opportunity this year for upgrades to Level 3. And the NTS series for upgrades to Level 2.
Referee Coaching will be carried out at all these events, with the International Panel (=coaches in Touch-speak) attending the Euros again.
· England Selection & Trials
· Fitness training programme for Referees
· Level 1, 2 and 3 Courses for 2010
· NTS Series
· Euros
SHORT TERM
Over the next two months, we have the following activities to look forward to:-
1. Fitness Training Programme
a. Although you may not have a local league still active, you will need to be fit ahead of the season.
b. I will post a 10 week fitness programme on the eta web site – let me know how you get on.
2. ENGLAND TRIALS
3. TOURNAMENT
a. 13/Feb Manchester Chargers http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1369194768#/event.php?eid=184941979425
4. COURSES
5. Euro’s Nominations & Facebook site
a. If you have not yet sent in your nomination to the Euros, please follow the link below for the form
c. Facebook link: add the Euros to your events in facebook to keep up to date with everything going on
CALL TO ACTION
We need referees for the following events:-
· England Trials – you get coaching and specific referee training – contacts given above.
· Spread the word about the Courses already planned for 2010, the Level 1 course in the newly affiliated Chippenham and the Level 3 in Edinburghmid-April.
· Watch out for the next newsletter!
Keep in Touch
Chris Wheeler
Venue:
Start: 10:30
End: 14:00
Equipment: bring pencil or pen, kit to run in
Cost: £20 – includes an ACME Thunderer 58 ½ whistle!
LEVEL TWO (whole day)
26th September - BRISTOL
Venue:
Start: 10:00
End: 16:30
Equipment: bring pencil or pen, kit to run in
Cost: £20 to include lunch
LEVEL 3 TOUCH EUROPE COURSE -England
24th-25th October - CAMBRIDGE
Two full days, much of it is practical work outdoors.
Presenters: Lucas Von Hoff and Chris Wheeler
THIS IS AN ADVANCED COURSE.
Please recommend your friends, family and especially players! For further information on all the courses, please contact
Chris@englandtouch.org.uk
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Level One
This is an Introductory course for Touch Referees. No previous experience is necessary and everyone is welcome. This 3 hour course includes a discussion about the basics of the game and of refereeing, and then an 'open book' style exam. Those who pass the course (which includes on-field assessment either that day or at a later stage) will receive a European Level 1 certificate and badge.
Level Two
Ideally interested people will have attended and passed the Level 1 course before attending a Level 2 course. Also referees will need to have done a season of refereeing prior to the course. This is a full one day course and will consist of a presentation, interactive sessions, theory & practical assessment (either that day or at a later stage). Those who pass the course will receive a European Level 2 certificate and badge.
Level Three
Level 3 is an advanced level course and one of the highest that can be awarded within the Touch Europe Referee programme. Ideally interested people will have attended and passed the Level 2 course before attending a Level 3 course, and have done a minimum of 2 years practical refereeing experience. This is a full two day course and includes interactive sessions, theory & practical assessments and a written exam. Those who pass the course will receive a European Level 3 certificate and badge.
HOME NATIONS
Home Nations Referee Tournament Application are invited to be received by1st July 2009.
Selection criteria for Referees for International Tournaments 2009 season
The following policy was approved at the ETA Referees Advisory Panel.
Minimum Selection Criteria for Referees for the 2009 Home Nations Championships
• Attendance at 2 NTS Events;
• Referee commitment at module level;
• Fitness test results submitted to ETA NDR for the individual Referee by the deadline/s indicated by ETA.
Please note that at present, these are a guide only. In future we will give more notice and require referees to meet all the stated requirements.
MAINLAND CUP 25/ 26th July, Germany. Applications now open.
MESSAGE FROM LUCAS VON HOFF, Touch Europe Director of Referees
“Dear Referees,
The two major tournaments on the European calendar this year are the Mainland Cup on the 25/26th July in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Home Nations tournament on the 8th August in Glasgow, Scotland. Both of these tournaments will include national teams from participating countries and as such will be at a high standard.
I will be coordinating the referees at both tournaments, in conjunction with Chris Wheeler and Thys McCurdy (who make up the European Referees Panel), and as such am accepting nominations from referees to officiate at these tournaments.
This year we are enforcing a policy whereby all teams participating are required to supply a non-playing referee. Where countries cannot make this happen, they can apply for a concession to supply a player-referee. However, this will not be a consideration next year at the Euros and if countries fail to supply the required number of referees, then they will not be able to enter as many teams. Managers in countries should forward the names of their referees to me also. Referees do not have to represent a country – anyone can nominate to referee.
Where possible costs associated with referees will be kept to a minimum. Referees will be required to pay for the following:
- Accommodation
- Travel
- On-field uniform (where possible – see note below)
As both these tournaments are international tournaments, referees will be required to wear the white Touch Europe referee kit. Referees purchase their own kit and then keep it to wear at other international tournaments, such as the European Championships. This is not a national uniform and as such cannot be worn at park level or national tournaments. I have some surplus kit, however, in some instances we may need to make some exceptions or try to borrow kit as there will not be enough to meet all the requirements for this season.
For the Home Nations tournament, accommodation options are attached and all budgets are catered for. Something similar will be available for the Mainland Cup.
At both of these tournaments, badge upgrades to Level 4 will be possible. Nominations for upgrade must come to me through your national director of referees who will verify your commitment to refereeing and the contribution you make to the sport in your home country, both of which are a consideration, particularly for Levels 3-5.
The Australian Director of Referees, Lou Tompkins, will be attending both tournaments to provide referee coaching to referees and also referee coaches. He will be working with the referee panel to assess and coach referees.
Lou will also be running referee coaching courses on the Friday nights prior to both tournaments. These will commence in the afternoons and run into the evening. This course will give every participant the skills to coach referees at park level and to present foundation courses. The course agenda is attached. Cost of the course is only to cover costs and will be £20/€20. Please register your interest in this course with me also.
To summarise, I require:
- Nominations to referee at either tournament (and if you are refereeing for a particular country).
- Registrations for referee coaching course.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours in Touch,
Lucas Von Hoff
Touch Europe Director of Referees
In adddition to all the Referees that are being trained around the country, we are looking for volunteers to help out with local and regional organisation, to help communicate to referees about forthcoming events and to develop local initiatives to improve referee skills.
Please contact chris@englandtouch.org.uk for further information.
REFEREE DEVELOPMENT
Much as last season, we will start with a flurry of Level 1 courses around the country.
Please volunteer to help PRESENT these courses: you learn by teaching as well as by refereeing.
REFEREE COACHING
Referees can improve by working with higher level or more senior referees but an invaluable way to improve quickly is through coaching.
Events with Referee Coaches confirmed in attendance are marked *C
For some events, Referees may only attend by invitation, so if you want to get noticed, come to an event with Referee Coaches and make yourself known!
TOURNAMENT REFEREEING
Refereeing at a tournament will really help your personal development as well as giving you that important contact with your fellow referees: you are not alone out there!
GENERAL
Different people referee for all sorts of reasons.
Most Tournaments offer some sort of help towards costs: it just depends on the tournament as to what level of help they can give.
Planning early can help keep costs down and traveling together is a good idea too.
Please contact me to register your interest in any or all tournaments/courses, so that planning is easier.