Referee Protocol Regulations...

1. Who Looks After Referee Appointments at Your Club ?

(1). Your "Senior Club" will have a Club Referee Society Contact (RSC) - find out who this is ?

(2). 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.

(3). Your RSC has a handbook listing all Referee contact details and has access to the Society WebSite where Referee contact information is even more up-to-date. Your RSC should be advised of your appointed Referee in advance.

(4). It is good practice to double-check your RSC knows the dates of all your home games - you should check these with them in advance - do not leave it until the week before a match.

(5).  Advise your RSC of the new dates of any re-arranged games immediately they are known - including Cup Fixtures as soon as you know the draw...

2. How does the Referee Society know of our Colts League Fixtures ?

(1). 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 changes of venue and re-arranged fixtures as soon as they ocurr so they can update the Society website.

(2). 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 as soon as the system is updated. 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.

(3). The Colts League has succesfully recruited many Referees to officiate for Colts League matches on a Sunday, many of whom have gone on to join the Manchester Society whom it is hoped will now be able to cover all Colts League Sunday Fixtures in their District. NEW RECRUITS to the game are always needed and welcome... 

3. Making Contact with Your Referee...

(1). Each appointment should be confirmed with your Referee at least a week in advance by either your Club RSC or the Colts Team Manager.

(2). 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.

(3). 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.

(4). 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 your game and his availability - so the sooner you make contact with them the sooner you will know if they are available or whether you need to request another Referee.

(5). Therefore, DO NOT LEAVE IT UNTIL the WEDNESDAY before the game - this is too late.

(6). 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.

(7). Do not just leave a message with a Referee's significant other or children as messages are sometimes not passed on.

(8). An eMail is unreliable - you should ensure you speak to the Referee personally.

4. What Your Referee will Need to Know :~

(1). Team / Club / Venue - possibly with directions.
(2). Kick Off Time.
(3). Colours of BOTH Teams - this will also prompt you to check there is no colour clash.
(4). Your Name & Mobile Number - for emergency contact on the day.

5. What You Need to Know :~

(1). The Referee's Mobile Number - in case of a late postponement, or change of venue, etc...

(2). When your Referee expects to be arriving at your Club.

6. Doubts...

(1). 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.

(2). 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 a Sanction by the League.

(3). This is why you should ensure you have your Referee's Mobile Number with you at all times - DO NOT forget to ring him...

7. Matchday Protocol...

(1). 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.

(2). Please remember - Your Referee is a Guest of your Club and should be afforded Courtesy and Hospitality - Assigning a responsible adult helper to look after your Referee can pay dividends...

(3). Touch Judges should not be "spare players", and it is helpful if the Home Team is prepared to provide two Adults to act as Touch Judges should your Visitors  not be able to fulfil this commitment.

(4). It is also important the Touch Judges have room to operate between the touchline and the spectators.

(5). Spectators should be back from the field of play at all times, as per the Code of Conduct, preferably behind a suitable barrier.

(6). 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 should this be his decision. In addition should this arise 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.

8. Match Result Card...

(1). The Match Card must be filled in, indicating all Front Row players, and handed to the Referee before each game. At the end of a match 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 ask the Referee to sign the Match Card as soon as practical after the game is over.

9. Change of Date or Venue...

(1). If a match 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.

(2). 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.

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