Transitioning from Playing to Refereeing

[RoffsChoice]

A couple of years ago I got back into rugby after taking a break in order to focus on study as my marks were slipping. I joined a new team with my mates and we all got into it and it wasn't long before we were match fit. Skills I had learnt were still there and I was the 6 for a match against the touring Canadian Schoolboys.

We won that match and I remember that evening feeling really good about getting back into rugby and that I had done my part for the team that game.

However, at training the next day, I copped two kicks to the back of the head, resulting in a head injury that put me in hospital for a week, being told I couldn't play for 3 months, basically half the season.

When that time was up though, I didn't have that drive to play and was worried about being injured again.

I want to be involved though, so I'm looking at refereeing. Does anyone have any tales about how they went from Playing to Refereeing?

 

[yourmatesam]

RoffsChoice Welcome to the fold grasshopper! I've been refereeing for about 5 years as an ex-player, ex-coach and development officer. I find that refereeing keeps me involved in the game that I love, challenges me physically and mentally and provides flexibility to ref when I want to and spend time with my family when I want to.

I took things easily to start with, did my Level I Referees Course (now a Foundation Course) and started out in the lower grades before trying my hand at 2nd grade and eventually 1st grade here in Southern Inland. I am now a Level II Referee, Level I AR and Level II Coach.

As a player, I've played rep footy for NSW Country, First Grade footy in Wagga and Canberra and I find that refereeing is a buzz and a huge challenge week in week out. The break from playing to refereeing was probably 12-18months for me and I was coaching First Grade at the time so starting with the lower grades at my club made life easier to begin with. I stopped playing as I was completing a mature-age apprenticeship and with a young family couldn't afford to get injured, so took up the whistle and clipboard with the whistle winning out in the end (coaching was just too time consuming).

Here in SIRU, we have recently had retired players transition really well from playing to refereeing in under 2 years and I think that if you're keen, you should go for it. In my experience, recently retired players have a genuine feel for the game and exhibit positive empathy with players which comes back as great feedback from the players they are refereeing. It's not easy though, there is a lot to get your head around as a referee and it can be quite a humbling experience to be involved as a referee!

Get involved with your local association (ACTRRA I assume) as they are no different to a footy club and they will support you as a new-comer. There are some very knowledgable referees in Canberra and I would recommend making contact with the ACTRRA and encourage you to get involved.

Let me know if you want any further information.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Try having a yarn/PM with #1 Tah. He gave up playing club footy (albeit at a younger age than you) a year or two back to transition to Rugby knighthood (Sir).

I've seen him a couple of times running around and blowing the Acme Thunderer, and he does an decent enough job. He seemed to be enjoying himself in his new role.

Heavensgame needs referees. No game without them.

They often say "Sir" has the best seat in the house.

Good luck. I'm sure that you will do well.

 

[#1 Tah]

Wow, I've been spotted on the job? Hope I was on the ball that day

RoffsChoice - great to see you're considering refereeing as a pathway. The fantastic thing about referees is that because no amount is ever enough, you will always be welcomed with open arms to the community. Also, if you are obsessed with rugby enough to make an account and post here, chances are you know the laws well, and if a spectator disagrees with you, just call a ground marshall and tell em to shut it

I'm not going to lie though - your first game, you will sh*t yourself. But that happens playing too. Most of the work is done for you in that players generally know what they are doing. There is also a wonderful network of referee coaches to help you out. Eventually, if you focus on your positioning, have a good working relationship with the captains and relax, you'll find it all comes naturally.

TL;DR: You'll be great. The unions love having refs around and laws are something that can be taught, unlike raw skill, so dont be disheartened!

 

[RoffsChoice]

Wow, thanks guys! I had contacted the guys over at ARU about the courses but hadn't thought to have a chat with the referee union here.

I remember my first propper game as a schoolboy and how freaked I was for that, if it's only 10x as bad as that I'll be okay

I'm almost what I would call match fit again - how would you compare the fitness expected of you as a player to that expected of you as a ref?

 

[Scoey]

I hadn't thought about this until yesterday thanks to Boyo - now I'm curious. I am one of many that would probably benefit from trying their hand at refereeing. I know when I'm watching my team play that I am utterly biased but I try very hard to keep a level head when it comes to refereeing decisions because I know what it sounds like when you're not (level headed that is). Try as I might but, when we lose there's always one or two controversial calls that 'cost us the game'.

I think if I got some training and actually ran out on the field with a whistle instead of my headgear my appreciation for the game I love may actually grow. I think it might be Dan54 or Dam0 that is a referee that has made similar points to this before. So they may be able to provide more input into making the switch.

Anyway, good luck to you and keep us posted how you go. I will be interested to follow your progress!

 

[yourmatesam]

I'm almost what I would call match fit again - how would you compare the fitness expected of you as a player to that expected of you as a ref?

If you're match fit, you'll be fine to referee. Refereeing fitness is more about the aerobic capacity although this depends on the game and grade.

As a referee, I believe being fit (reasonably) helps with decision making and players like that you are able to keep up with the game and make decisions close to the play rather than struggling to blow your whistle and/or talk to them because you're sucking in the big ones after a 50m sprint.

I hadn't thought about this until yesterday thanks to Boyo - now I'm curious. I am one of many that would probably benefit from trying their hand at refereeing.!

Give it a go, you might find that you enjoy it. You've got an extensive playing history behind you, chances are you've experienced game situations that you will be able to draw on as a referee.

 

[Nusadan]

Been reffing in Scotland now for two years, love it, do all levels of rugby...and the best thing about refereeing in a new country is the travel, been to Shetland Islands and Stornoway amongst other places, and the referee's society pays for all that travel!

 

[yourmatesam]

Been reffing in Scotland now for two years, love it, do all levels of rugby.and the best thing about refereeing in a new country is the travel, been to Shetland Islands and Stornoway amongst other places, and the referee's society pays for all that travel!

Sounds like a junket to me Nusadan!!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

This is a good and positive thread that I have enjoyed reading so far.

I vote that it warrants being promoted to "Rugby Discussion" instead of languishing in "Suggested Threads".

My own journey to refereeing was after an extended retirement from active playing.
Career, Marriage, parenthood and travel got in the way of being able to commit to putting something back into Heavensgame any earlier.

My foray into refereeing was on the back of ARU Foundation courses I attended as a aspirant Coach rather than wannabe Ref. One of the Junior Jarse's also qualified on the same Foundation course, primarily to assist their development as a player, but they were also interested in refereeing because they got paid when they refereed mini and midi rugby games locally. Money is a very powerful motivator for kids.

To set a bit of an example to the Junior Jarse, I also qualified as a Level 1 ref in addition to L1 Coach. Unfortunately the refereeing career played second fiddle to coaching, and watching Junior Jarse games, and at best I was a capable and qualified "fresh legs off the bench" in the event that the appointed referee didn't show up.

I have witnessed several kids, who first picked up the Acme Thunderer as 12 year olds, develop into very competent referees, at least two of whom are now regular SS grade referees. These kids (as they were then, young men now) were welcomed wholeheartedly and actively mentored by the local Referees Association with a few picking up ARU refereeing scholarships along the way.

As I have said previously on these boards, the game can not exist without referees, and if people want to criticise referees performance, then they should get off their bum and attend the next available course to prove how much better they would be. Alternatively they should simply STFU with their abuse of a volunteer match official when they are not prepared to referee themselves.

 

[RoffsChoice]

If people want to criticise referees performance, then they should get off their bum and attend the next available course to prove how much better they would be. Alternatively they should simply STFU with their abuse of a volunteer match official when they are not prepared to referee themselves.

I'm not going to lie though - your first game, you will sh*t yourself.

That's the sort of stuff that inspires me though. I remember that from playing and always loved overcoming that challenge.

As a referee, I believe being fit (reasonably) helps with decision making and players like that you are able to keep up with the game and make decisions close to the play rather than struggling to blow your whistle and/or talk to them because you're sucking in the big ones after a 50m sprint.

Benefits of being a blindside, you've got that weird combination of anaerobic and aerobic that means you can run 80m and then be in a good position to clear out. Not that I've played for two years now :S

 

[yourmatesam]

Hugh Jarse I think this thread is worthy of "rugby discussion" status too.

I think its great to hear other referee stories on how they got into refereeing. It's a daunting step as an ex-player to go 'to the dark side' but one that I've found a majority of referees find is quite rewarding when they get into it.

I also agree with your point re criticising referees, particularly at a community rugby level. Too many spectators, coaches and players are willing to lay the boot into a volunteer (sometimes teenage referees) without having the guts or ability to have a crack themselves.

 

[RoffsChoice]

yourmatesam 1910[SIZE=12px]]#1 Tah
So you've recommended positioning and a good relationship with the captains, is there anything else you'd recommend? Hints and tips for new referees who read this thread?[/SIZE]

 

[boyo]

Keeping up with the play (it's much harder to make decisions when you're behind the play)

Learn/know the laws (you don't want to be second-guessing).

Don't take any rubbish from the players (a word to the captain, or a penalty, or a yellow card).

 

[yourmatesam]

Fitness, law knowledge and positioning are key. Back your decision, set your standards and stick to them.

Don't be afraid to use your cards. Players will listen to you talk, react to the whistle and change their behaviour when they are carded.

Get involved with your fellow referees, you may need their support. Watch what others do and develop your own style.

Choose life. . .

EDIT: Your number one priority? Safety.

 

[Lindommer]

They often say "Sir" has the best seat in the house.

After retiring as a player in my early 20s I took up the whistle in my late 40s as my son's junior club had NO refs one year. And then West Harbour grabbed me as they needed badged officials to run the lines in lower grades. Ended up going on to Level 2 TJ, did the Level 2 refs course but didn't get certified as reffing the requisite senior games was too much with Lindommer Jnr running around for club or school every Saturday.

HJ, the best seat in the house is on the sidelines, without argument. I've done both (in the middle and on the side) and the side wins hands down.

yms's remarks re positioning are extremely apt. Many of you here have read me rabbitting on after watching Mark Lawrence close up; he's the best ref I've seen in the positioning stakes. As he was always in a very good position to see things happen the correct decision, or non-decision, was easy for him to make.

Fitness and laws: both have to be worked at, there's no excuse for sloppy performances here.