Progression Ladder
Your Progression Through to L6
New Referees
The society appoints referees below Level 6 in the England Rugby ladder. When referees first join the society, they will be ‘ungraded’ & have ‘1st Year’ as their grade on WhosTheRef so that it is easy for the grading team to identify these members. For members to be given a grade they will have been watched by at least 1 mentor on a game plus they must attend Academy & Society meetings to show they are engaged in training to a higher standard. They must also participate in the Academy WhatsApp group with their post-game reviews to allow the Academy manager to focus on the correct training sessions. Once the referees have been graded, they will finish that season on the Academy to work their way through the grades.
Graded Referees
Referees who are no longer part of the Academy will be watched by a referee advisor/performance reviewer to grasp their progression. They will be watched to look at the key aspects which make up Form 2 (Communication, Game Management, Core Values, Breakdown, Scrum, Space, Line Out & Maul). Referees will be asked to give their own feedback on the form & this is MUST for the grading committee. Referees will also be expected to attend society training meetings to show they are willing to discuss was of improving their game with the rest of the society. As referees move up the ladder they maybe asked to go on exchange to another society, this opportunities are required to move to levels 7 & 6.
L5 & Beyond
Regional 1 South West Match Official Team (SWMOT)
SRRS looks after your progression up to L6 to progress further you will have to apply to be accepted onto the SWMOT via the Wessex Federation at any point during the season. This is not just when you are in the role of a referee (R), but also as a coach (RC) or a Performance Reviewer/Adviser (PR).
Wessex Federation will provide all available reports from the current season, plus 2 from the previous one when put forward in September or October. SWMOT appreciate this is more difficult in the role of RC and in this case, a synopsis of coaching and experience will be provided.
The referee must have a minimum of 6 L6 reports with at least 3 being exchange reports and 2 videos corresponding with the submitted reports, a rugby CV & Development Plan. The referee should include confirmation of completion (certification) of Laws test, Headcase & Safeguarding (DBS) and a Passed Fitness test (Bronco 5m 15 sec).
The federation will notify SWMOT of forthcoming L6 appointments made by the home society who will arrange for an observer to attend an L6 appointment. Based on feedback from the observer, the nominee may either:
1. Be offered further opportunities at L5 to further assess their suitability and provide feedback accordingly
2. Be provided with feedback, based upon the observations of areas that need attention before further identification.
National League Match Official Team
Prerequisites
• Completed an England Rugby Referee Award or RFU approved equivalent.
• Completed or is in a current cohort for the Advanced Match Official Award (AMOA).
• Current member of an England Rugby Referee Society.
• Holds a current RFU DBS Certificate
• Completed the RFU Headcase module
KEY PILLARS (PACT)
Physical
• Have passed the minimum standard for the Bronco or equivalent fitness test.
• Through appropriate physical fitness preparation Match Official’s display, durability
and readiness to perform to a high standard.
• Match Official must demonstrate an understanding of the following elements:
recovery after exercise, nutritional tips, injury prevention and injury management.
Attitudinal
• Demonstrate mental resilience and coping strategies within pressurised situations.
• Demonstrate a willingness to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrate a willingness to develop themselves and other Match Officials.
• Shows respect towards all stakeholders involved in the game.
Commitment
• Is available to perform any Match Official role as assigned by the NLMOT appointments team.
• Be prepared to operate within the constraints of the competitions appointed to by the NLMOT.
• Understands their role within the game.
Technical
• Understands/demonstrates key refereeing processes and principles within the game.
• Demonstrates the ability to work in pressurised and emotional environments.
• Prepared to reflect/learn from all experiences.
• When required, provide feedback to other Match Officials that is accurate, relevant,
and meaningful.
Professional Game Match Official Team
If you show real talent then you may be invited to join the PGMOT, those involved in this team are at the peak of our national game & officiate the Men’s & Women’s Premiership as well as the Men’s Championship.
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