Advise Regarding Society Referee Appointments.
Who Looks After Referee Appointments at Your Club ?
Your "Senior Club" will have a "Referee Society Contact" (RSC) - find out who this is ?
Each RSC will want to arrange and confirm games with your Referee "their way" - some will contact the Referee for you, and others will give you the Ref's contact number for you to contact them yourself.
Each RSC has a handbook listing all Referee's contact details, and will normally know your appointed Referee up to two weeks in advance. They also have access to the Society Appointments WebSite where Referee contact information may be more up-to-date.
It is good practice to double-check your RSC knows the dates of all your home games. Check these with them in advance - do not leave it until the week before a match.
Advise your RSC immediately the date of any re-arranged games are known, including Cup Fixtures - as soon as you know the draw...
How does the Referee Society or Association know of our Colts League Fixtures ?
M&DRURS - use their own WBA Appointments System which is hosted on the M&D WebSite. Your Club RSC is responsible for entering all your fixtures onto the M&D WBA system (well in advance), and for making any amendments as they occur. It is therefore important you liaise with your RSC not only regarding your home fixtures, but also informing them of any liquidated fixtures (withdrawals), postponements, and re-arranged fixtures as soon as they ocurr.
L&DRURS - fixtures are published by the Colts League on Rugby First and are therefore always available to L&D who use the Rugby First Appointments System. Re-arranged games will be detailed on Rugby First, however it is always good practice to inform the Society, via your RSC, of any re-arranged dates, and particularly of any changes of venue you agree.
The CLRA - fixtures are published by the Colts League on Rugby First and are therefore always available to the CLRA - who are now starting to use the Rugby First Appointments System. Re-arranged games will be detailed on Rugby First, however it is always good practice to inform the CLRA, via your RSC, of any re-arranged dates, and particularly of any changes of venue you agree.
Making Contact with Your Referee...
Each appointment should be confirmed with your Referee at least a week in advance, by either the Club RSC or the Team Manager.
If you leave it too late to make contact with your appointed Referee they may have made alternative arrangements, including informing the Society they have had no contact from your Club - making themselves available to be re-appointed to another game.
Managers should always ensure they know the Referee's Name and Mobile Number - for emergency contact just in case things go "pear shaped" on the day of the game or before.
Also, your appointed Referee may have picked up an injury and therefore be unavailable - it is up to you to establish this when you ring to confirm - so the sooner you make contact with them the sooner you wiill know if they are available or whether you need to request another Referee.
Therefore, DO NOT LEAVE IT UNTIL the WEDNESDAY before the game - this is too late.
NB:
It can be dangerous to leave a message on an answerphone - ask the Referee to ring you back to confirm his availability. If he doesn't call - try him again. He may have been away.
Do not just leave a message with a Referee's "significant other" or children as messages are sometimes not passed on.
An e-mail is not a good enough method of contact either - you should ensure you speak to the Referee personally.
What Your Referee will Need to Know :~
Team / Club / Venue - possibly with directions.
Kick Off Time.
Colours of BOTH Teams - this will also prompt you to check there is no colour clash.
Your Name & Mobile Number - for emergency contact on the day.
What You Need to Know :~
The Referee's Mobile Number - in case of a late postponement, or change of venue, etc...
Doubts...
If there is any doubt about the fixture being fulfilled it is sound practice to advise the Referee in advance so he can contact you on the day, before travelling, to ensure the game is going ahead.
If the Referee arrives and finds the game is off, and there has been no suitable attempt to prevent him travelling then Clubs will be liable to a Financial Penalty imposed by the Referee Society, and the deduction of Sanction points as prescribed in the Regulations.
This is why you should ensure you have your Referee's Mobile Number with you at all times - DO NOT forget to ring him...
Matchday Protocol...
Your Referee should be welcomed and offered his expenses (on arrival). He should then be shown to his changing room where changing and showering facilities should be separate from the players.
It is helpful if the Home Team is prepared to provide both Touch Judges, just in case the Visitors are unable to fulfil this commitment. Touch Judges should be Adults rather than spare players.
It is important the Touch Judges have room to operate between the touchline and spectators, who should be back from the field of play at all times behind a suitable barrier, as per the Code of Conduct.
Should a suitable barrier and two Technical Areas not be in place the Referee does have the discretion to refuse to start or continue with any Colts League game. The Referee will have the full support of the League Committee, plus the Home Team will be considered to have forfeit, with the match points awarded to the opponents, and the deduction of Sanction points, as prescribed.
Match Result Card...
The Match Card must be filled in, indicating Front Row players, and handed to the Referee before each game. At the end of the game the Referee may be in a hurry to get away - it is a Sunday after all, and he may have family commitments. Managers should therefore request the Referee signs the Match Card as soon as practical after the game is over.
Change of Date or Venue...
If a game is re-arranged, with a change of date or venue you should notify your Referee and his Society immediately so he can make himself available to be appointed to another game.
Teams who fail to notify the Referee and Society as soon as such changes are agreed will be liable to a Financial Penalty imposed by the Referee Society, plus the deduction of Sanction points as prescribed.