INDUCTION
Before being appointed to a match the Society has a duty of care to satisfy itself that the person is competent and safe to referee the matches. If you are an experienced referee, either joining from another Society, or who has officiated on behalf of a club, references from the Society or club may be taken up. If you are new to refereeing, the Entry Level referee Award must be passed and you will be observed in one of your frist five matches. .
TRAINING
The Society holds monthly meetings throughout the season, where aspects of law and match management are discussed; guest speakers are invited. The meetings are usually held at Oxford RFC at the end of North Hinksey Lane, North Hinksey Village, Oxford, OX2 0NA. Tel: (0)1865 243984, on the third Wednesday in the month.
The Society Referee Course aimed at those new to society refereeing and the Society participates in the Southern Federation development programme at which point the RFU Development Referee Course is available.
PROGRESSION PATHWAY
There is a well structured national hierarchy through which referees progress. A progressing referee will gain experience firstly in Society, then in the Federation Development Squads and finally onto the National Panel (the top 60 or so referees in the RFU). For the exceptional few, it can take a short time to get to the top. Some have progressed to the National Panel in two seasons. Also, as you progress up the pyramid, the competition gets particularly keen.
Remember, however, a successful referee is not necessarily the one who gets to the top, but the one who gives and gets most enjoyment.
MONITORING PERFORMANCE
The Society will monitor your progress via assessments and match cards so that, if you have the ability and the desire, you will referee matches where players are faster and more proficient. You can then progress to enjoying exchange appointments with other societies, and eventually onto a nationwide basis. The Society will maintain a great interest in your progress and will involve your experiences in its discussion meetings and training schemes.
During your first few matches, a referee coach or mentor will watch you. He is there to help you and, after the match, he will discuss some important points to assist your progress. Sometimes you may have interpreted the laws incorrectly and they will advise you on this, but usually the comments will be about the art of refereeing and your management of the game. You will benefit not only from such advice, but through discussion with players after a game and by reflecting on the match.
GRADING
Each league within the RFU structure is assigned a level. For example, the premiership is level 1, Division South West 1 is level 5 and the Berks Bucks & Oxon Division 1 is level 8. Lower sides within a club are accorded a level based on that of the first team; the second team is rated three grades lower and each subsequent team a further 2 grades. Hence the third fifteen of a level 5 club will be rated as level 10.
Referees are graded according to the level of game for which their abilities are suited. So a level 8 referee is felt suitable for a BBO Div 1 game, or for the second team of a level 5 club.
The Grading Committee meets at least twice per season, and members may be graded or regraded at other times in special circumstances. The Grading Committee uses adviser reports and match cards to determine gradings.
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