Join Somerset Rugby Referees

I started my refereeing journey, as I kept getting injured and as my job needed me to travel I couldn’t risk injury but I wanted to stay involved in the game I love and picking up the whistle was something I’d thought about for a while. I completed my course with the aim of officiating for my club but felt I wanted to do a little more and decided to join a Society. I had two options, my club uses Bristol Refs but I live in Somerset Somerset Rugby Refs Society could be an obvious choice, after a little research I decided to be apart of history and join the oldest rugby referee Society in the world, after meeting the then recruitment officer I knew I had made the right decision. My first involvement with Somerset Rugby Refs Society was to go and watch one of the more experienced refs in action, it allowed me to gain some insight into how they managed a local game which is different to what we see on the TV. After that I started being assigned my own games to ref. Refereeing for SRRS has helped me develop more than had I just officiated for my club and it has also allowed me to give back to my club where I head up our Club Refs initiative and help support the coaches and juniors who have decided to take up the whistle for the club.
If you decide to take up the whistle then I look forward to meeting you at one of the meetings soon.

I honestly can’t say enough about SRRS. From the moment I joined the society, I was welcomed and encouraged to become the best referee I could be. I have to give a huge amount of credit for my progress to Reg Lewis who was invaluable to me in my first 2 seasons. The opportunities I was afforded helped me to move up the levels & I looked at every game as a chance to work on one or two things that would make me better whilst still enjoying my hobby! I am fortunate enough to now be in my 5th season as a RFU NLMOT referee and I owe the society so much for what they did for me at the start of my refereeing journey.

Joining Somerset Referees Society has been really rewarding. In a short time they have given me the opportunity to officiate Mens, Vets, Youth, Beach, 7’s and 10’s matches, all with the support of fellow referees. The society has been very welcoming and supportive, a team of experienced referees has created a support network for new and young match officials to grow and develop through the academy and onwards into their rugby journey

On joining the SRRS, I was first invited to attend the monthly training meeting where I was welcomed by the chair. After introductions to fellow referees and speaking with other members I felt as if I had been with this group of like-minded people for some time. I was able to ask questions freely and glad to say the answers flowed. I was introduced to the academy coaches and invited to join the academy squad. I found this very beneficial as my refereeing has developed massively due to these meetings. I have found no question is stupid, and everyone has been very approachable whether by email or in person. People give their time to help like nowhere else. This season (2024/25) due to an unforeseen injury I was asked to help the new referees at some of their games, helping them as I was helped. This has made me personally feel as part of the growing team, as I was worried I would be left behind, however this has stopped that feeling. I am fully enjoying my development and the fun of the game.

Joining SRRS as a 16 year old could have been very daunting, but I was made to feel very welcome. The society emailed me to grow as a referee to level 6, before injury struck & I decided to take a step into coaching; the members were very helpful with this step & helped me every step of the way. Coaching is a very rewarding role. SRRS supported me in setting up the tournament arm of the society which allows me to support referees right across the experience spectrum.

From Wiveliscombe IIs to The Rec: My Journey as a Referee so far. 
In the autumn of 2019, I picked up the referee’s whistle, stepping onto the pitch with equal measures of excitement and trepidation. It was the inaugural step into a world governed by complicated laws and split-second decisions, a realm where passion for the game met the responsibilities of fair play.  Starting at the ripe old age of 50 didn’t prevent me from joining the academy dedicated to nurturing new referees, where dedicated sessions helped me gain understanding and confidence. Season 2019-20 ended with COVID lockdowns but training sessions switched seamlessly to Teams meetings and continued until we were allowed to mix again.  My refereeing highlight came when I was given the opportunity to officiate a match for Bath Ladies at The Rec – a double header after the men’s 2024 premiership fixture versus Sale. Standing on that historic ground, with a few thousand supporters watching, was an experience unlike any other. The vibrant energy of the crowd and the palpable excitement on the pitch was something I feel lucky and honoured to have experienced.  
Refereeing is more than just a role; it is a commitment to the spirit of the rugby union. Every weekend I make a small contribution to the sport I love, ensuring 2 teams get a game that remains fair, competitive, and enjoyable for everyone involved.