Referee Department launches new Referee Award

The Rugby Football Union Community Referees Department has launched its new Entry Level Referee Award (ELRA), with the first courses to be delivered during the first week in November.

The ELRA replaces the National Foundation Certificate (NFC) and is designed both for new referees and those with limited experience seeking to acquire additional knowledge and understanding.

The ELRA comprises three stages, with those wishing to join one of many Referees'' Societies around the country required to undertake all three. Those not wishing to join a Referees'' Society will undertake stages 1 and 2, each of which lasts one day. Prior to each of the first two stages, candidates will be asked to undertake a small amount of pre-course work based on DVD and CD Rom.

The content of the ELRA is far removed from the NFC and contains a significant amount of practical activity and learning. It seeks to provide referees with far more than knowledge of the Laws of the Game and covers areas such as Management and Control, Contextual Judgement, Positioning and Communication. The emphasis on Safety and Enjoyment prevails throughout.
"Mapped against the National Occupational Standards for Officiating, the new Award represents a huge advance in the way in which new referees are trained", said Andy Melrose, the Referee Department''s Training and Education Officer. "It has been produced following extensive consultation with the Game and will undoubtedly provide referees with many of the skills required to manage a game effectively. Ultimately, those undertaking the ELRA will be far more skilled, leading to a more satisfying experience for the players".

The ELRA will be delivered by recently appointed Referee Trainers, whose work programmes will be managed by the Department"s Referee Development Officers (RefDOs).
Richard Glynne-Jones, the RFU''s Referee Manager, said "We have recruited 27 excellent trainers, whom we are confident will provide an outstanding experience for those attending the ELRA. The better the experience, the more likely it is that candidates will go on to referee regularly, whether within a Referees’ Society or at their club, school or college".

Courses coming up in Hertfordshire are:

7/14/21/28 November: Marriotts School, Telford Avenue, Stevenage SG2 0AN (18.30 to 21.30)

25/26 November: Watford Grammar School for Boys, Rickmansworth Road, Watford WD18 7JF (09.00 to 16.00)

9/16/23/30 January: Sir Frederic Osborn School, Herns Lane,Welwyn Garden City AL7 2AF (18.30 to 21.30)

3/4 February: Hertford RFC, Hoe Lane, Ware SG12 9NZ (09.00 to 16.00)

7/14/21/28 March: St. Albans School, The Woollam Playing Fields, 160 Harpenden Road, St. Albans, AL3 6BB (18.30 to 21.30)

24/25 March: Marriotts School, Telford Avenue, Stevenage SG2 0AN (09.00 to 16.00)

19/20 May: St. Albans School, The Woollam Playing Fields, 160 Harpenden Road, St. Albans, AL3 6BB (09.00 to 16.00)

6/13/20/27 June: Hertford RFC, Hoe Lane, Ware SG12 9NZ (18.30 to 21.30)

For more information (including booking forms) see the RFU website