MENTOR ROLE
Regular referees
Getting suitable fixtures in the right environment is critical.
A good personal relationship with several junior club coaches at U13/U14 level is important, as the mentor has to trust these people to ensure good behaviour and communicate with opposition coaches to protect the referee from ‘raving’ parents and players. Such a relationship develops from U12 competitions and continues onward as most teams retain coaches year on year. The referee, players and coaches are therefore developing together.
The first priority is to meet and understand the young person, assess character and confidence levels and agree a simple outline of how things might progress subject to regular review. A timetable should be set out to provide practical refereeing at a relevant level and, where confidence is lacking, to give an opportunity to act as touch judge for another young referee and be involved in briefings and assessments.
The first match should always be arranged by the mentor with a friendly local club at U13 level. The mentor should always be present at the first match, and the first match at a new level, to assess capability and fitness, decision making, and to give support.
It is always better to meet one hour before kick off and agree some key points which can be reviewed at half time - i.e. the 2- 3 things which need to be firmly controlled. It is also a good time to check facilities to ensure there are no problems with Child Protection issues.
It is essential to speak to both coaches pre-match to ensure that they and their players understand that this is a first match and accept that mistakes may be made and may not be corrected until half time.
The first 15 minutes as a referee is usually frantic and only after that will any young referee start to really get to grips with things, so support is essential (keeping coaches and parents respectful particularly).
It can be useful for the mentor to be touch judge as this gives an opportunity at lineouts to make encouraging comments.
If the mentor is satisfied with the performance and support system (e.g. parent or a referee colleague), further fixtures can be arranged with the team coach if he/she is supportive and keen to help.
Other local U13 team coaches might be advised of availability so that they contact the referee direct. This not only reduces mentor involvement with clubs but helps the young referee to appreciate the commitment required, as well as making her/him feel wanted. Furthermore, parents appreciate local fixtures!
Where performance is unsatisfactory, there should be a gentle debriefing and a positive suggestion to allow a further match after gaining more experience at an easier level, a tournament or tag.
A mentor can support 4-5 regular referees by always watching a first match but then giving 3-4 weeks before watching again, providing that the young referee has someone there to support them in between visits.
It is important for the mentor to be aware of fixtures accepted and to be available to talk through matches before/after so that issues are addressed quickly.
After a few matches, the competence of the referee can be assessed and a development programme set out for promotion from U13 to U14 and further.
Ongoing development of character is important and the mentor should ensure that the referee meets, and discusses performance issues with, the coaches, players and onlookers after every match, under supervision initially. This will increase confidence by making the referee realise he/she is accountable for decisions and has to have good reasons for them.
Assertiveness coaching or guidance will help both on and off the pitch but the main basis for success is law knowledge allied to clear signals and explanation during a match.
RFU.com 
Club Search
