So you would like to become a referee? Congratulations! Refereeing is a rewarding way to be involved and give back to the game whilst itself providing a unique perspective on the game. By taking up the whistle, you are joining a diverse and inclusive sub-section of the rugby family and when you are out there in the middle, you quite simply have the best view in the house! The RFU have some resources here and we have prepared a couple of pointers below on how get involved with the 15-a-side and adult game.
Stage 1: Let us know you are interested!
If you would like to officiate matches within the Cambridgeshire region, then please contact us and we can help you on your way! You are always more than welcome to join us at one of our monthly meetings and we have plenty of people who can help you on your way. If you are already a member of one of our clubs, then they will have a useful contact who can help you on your way.
Stage 2: Start your Refereeing Journey!
We are here to ensure that you start your refereeing career with confidence, safely, and in an enjoyable manner. We all start somewhere, so all of our members are here to make sure that you have an enjoyable experience and want to keep coming back for more! Once you get going, you don’t have to commit to every weekend and can push yourself as much or as little as you want. The society is here to support you on your refereeing adventure.
There are two courses available to help you start your refereeing journey and both are administered by the RFU through the England Rugby Learning platform. You can begin the Ready2Ref or Take Up the Whistle at any time
To register for England Rugby Learning, on a mobile browser or desktop initially head to https://englandrugbylearning.csod.com and login with your GMS account. If you need further guidance, you can see a step-by-step guide here.
1.Take up the Whistle (free)
The Take Up the Whistle programme introduces new referees to the basics of officiating, including how to use the whistle effectively and develop core skills such as clear communication. This is a free of charge course and a great way to get started if you are supportin
2. Ready2Ref (£45)
Ready2Ref is England Rugby’s entry level qualifications and gives you all the tools to start your journey as a match official. With a blended approach to learning, you’ll complete a number of interactive online learning modules, where you’ll be able to stretch and challenge your knowledge with clips and quizzes. Once you’ve completed your online journey, the next step is to attend your Ready2Ref face to face practical day. Supported by England Rugby Workforce, it’s an opportunity for you to put what you know into practice.
The face to face days are run regularly across the country and feature the same content. The aim is that you should be able to book onto a date within 6 weeks of completing the online component.
Cambridge University and District Rugby Referee Society 