Pre-Season 2023

We are now rapidly approaching the start of the 2023 season and as a result there are a number of things we need to consider to enable us to hit the ground running for the 2023/24 season. First up, there are a couple of things for our officials and clubs to do behind the scenes before the season starts. As always, please reach out to the management group should you have any questions.

Pre-Season Tasks for Match Officials

• Check all your contact details on whos the ref and update your availability for August, September and beyond!
• Complete the Headcase concussion traiing and online introduction to safeguarding – available through https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/coursefinder
• Review the laws of the game (ideally completing the online quiz on the world rugby website) and the RFU tackle height hub – https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/tackle-height

Pre-Season Requests to our Clubs

• Please update all of your club and team contacts on Whos the Ref.
• Please ensure that the appointments secretary is aware of any pre-season fixtures you are hosting so that we can appoint match officials. (cudrrsappoints@gmail.com)
• Share information around the tackle height training sessions below with your club members.

Domestic Law Variation (Tackle Height)

As you will all be aware, the RFU have introduced a domestic law variations, the effect of which is lowering the threshold at which a high tackle is adjudged from the shoulders (or armpit for age grade), down to the sternum. This came into effect on July 1st and applies to all rugby under RFU jursidiction below the RFU championship in the mens game, and Premier 15s in the womens game. In terms of the changes to the laws of the game, there is only one law affected. However, quite understandably there has been a significant amount of discourse around this change. As a result, we want to work with our referees and clubs to ensure that we all understand the implications of the DLV.

Tackle Height Training for Match Officials:

For referees we are running two pre-season sessions, on Tuesday 8th August at 7.30 pm (venue tbc) and on Sunday 20th August at 2.00 pm (Ely RFC).

We would like all CUDRRS referees to attend one of these sessions and strongly encourage any club referees who are refereeing within their club or school to come along.

Working with our Clubs:

To enable us to do this we have worked with the RFU to nominate a number of “Tackle Champions” who have been provided with resources to help support members of the rugby community. These members of the society are available to help clubs, and we are keen on coming along to training nights to build up a mutual understandng of what players and officials will be doing to adapt to this change.

To allow us to plan and work together, we would appreciate if all club/team contacts who would like us to come along and assist are able to fill out a quick survey – https://forms.gle/pBJwwxnuc1hxEXaD8