NRURS – Hon. Secretary’s Report – 2008-09 season.
Last year I began my report reflecting on the fact that the seamless game seemed to have evolved seamless seasons and I have no reason to change that opinion!
We began the ’08-’09 season with a series of events to inform referees, coaches and players about the Experimental Law Variations and how they could impact on the game. Many thanks go to Les Gutteridge and Will Halford for their unstinting help in delivering sessions in clubs across the County.
It is with some sense of ‘déjà vu’ that we will have to go through the whole process again, especially with new referees who have never officiated under the Laws before ELV’s.
Throughout the season, Les Gutteridge has worked hard to deliver a training package tailored to meet the demands of members of the Society. Meetings have covered a wide range of topics, delivered by ‘senior’ figures in the Society and guest speakers from Clubs. Many thanks to those who have helped provide insight and ‘food for thought’ for referees and advisers.
The development of referees continues through our involvement with the Federation of Referee Societies for the North. Two of our referees are presently on the Level 5 Scheme and their next step is to RFU Level and chasing the heels of our IRB Referee, Dave Pearson. Good luck to them and the other referees in the Federation Squad.
From the Clubs’ perspective, often the priority for them is finding out who is refereeing their sides and to this end Mark Lee and Dave Barrow are the focal points in the Society in their roles as Appointments Secretary and Mid-week Appointments Secretary.
Mark reports that,” After 42 weeks and approximately 800 games I know of only one game that went without a Society referee due to a shortage of referees. 57 individual referees were used in the season of which 42 did more than 4 games. On our busiest Saturday we supplied 34 referees but most weeks we struggled to get 27 out. There were very few weekends we had spare referees. Had it not been for those referees willing to do 2 games on a Saturday the school games could not have been covered. I must thank Claire whose roll is central to appointments. I would like to wish Alan Dickinson and Peter Thompson good luck. Extend my hopes that the students leaving us will continue to referee with other Societies. And finally to everyone who took up a whistle or flag this year. The success of this season is down to each and every one of you. Thank you.”
From Dave comes this report, “This season we have made 187 appointments, and a further 24 touch judge appointments for University first team games and cup finals. There have been about five failures, mostly at U16 level.
I am very grateful to the midweek boys (I use the word "boys" very loosely) and also to Claire and Mark, who have been most helpful.
This is my last report, as am not seeking re-election. I have enjoyed my time, and hope my successor has as much fun.”
On behalf of the Society, many, many thanks to Dave for his work over the years.
Structures are in place for the further development of referees over the coming season, including CPD modules (produced by the RFU for match official development) and fitness requirements for the different grades of referees. We also will be introducing a scheme for Club Referee development whereby those in clubs involved in refereeing Sunday games will be able to get advice and guidance designed to improve their performance. There is also the strong possibility that we will be able to set up a referee society within Northumbria University, replicating the very successful scheme in place at Newcastle University. So, all in all, there is a lot to look forward to for the 2009/10 season.
Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all those in the Society for their input and help over the past year, and in particular, thanks to Claire Sharpe for her continuing enthusiasm and diligence on all matters relating to the Society’s business.
Malcolm Jarvie
Hon. Secretary
NRURS
May 2009.
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