Best Preactices for refereeing Junior Rugby

[ex-lucy]

Chaps, i am thinking of devising a booklet with presentation (or visa versa) about best practices for refereeing Junior Rugby, i.e. how to ref U13s to U19s.
I have been reffing junior rugby for about 15 years. Seniors for two season now.
Years ago i remember reading Horner's booklet on reffing mini rugby and i think it is about time something was done for junior rugby.
Obviously i would like to utilise the great minds and experience on here.
I hope you wont mind be borrowing some of the info and opinions on here.
I think initially i will do a presentation to my club's other refs and then to my society and then to other clubs in my CB. Then anyone else interested.

Working titles for chapters are so far
1. Safety is paramount above all else. see RFU's dictum. Short chapter but referring to other chapters. And Child Protection (knowledge if CP is a prerequisite for reading the booklet) in rugby e.g. checking studs with coach present/ dont touch injured players.
2. Law Differences per age group. see Hants website.
3. Discussion on matters like scrums engage sequence, dropped mauls, tackles with more than 2 on the floor, line outs.
4. Advantage and when to use/ not to use it in junior rugby e.g. no adv for high tackles blow immedly but loads of time for adv for offside (ceteris paribus).
5. Prematch chats with capts and coaches.
6. How to deal with certain flashpoints baring in mind that these are kids.
7. How to deal with unruly parents/ coaches esp at U15s/U16s / U17s.

etc...

Any thoughts? Comments ?

[OB..]

Sounds like a very useful idea.

[Simon Thomas]

ex-Lucy

Exactly this task has been underway, initially as an un-official project between Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Devon refs who have extensive Youth refereeing experience.
It was then taken on board by Andy Melrose at RFU. Suggest you contact Andy.Melrose@rfu.com, I am sure he would appreciate further input.

I have two Powerpoint presentations that were collated from various Soceties (including one by Simon Griffiths) on the topic. If you give your email addy I will send them to you (too big to post on here)

There is a good website that deals with RTP (raving touchline parents)
http://www.bpca.org.uk/

[ExHookah]

Simon, could you send those over to me as well, I'll share them with the societies in this area. A lot of people don't know all of the youth variations, not only in law but also in management styles.

You can reach me on my shiny new address:

nick.priscott@rugbyrefs.com

[ex-lucy]

Simon: great stuff. Saves me a job.
I would love to get hold of these bits and pieces.
been a long time coming...
try: wardstephen@yahoo.co.uk

[ex-lucy]

Simon
NDR for that email address for Andy Melrose.

[Mike Whittaker]

Wish you all the best with this one...

After 25 years reffing the youngsters I still thoroughly enjoy it.
Just hope this doesn't become as prescriptive as so many other attempts at guidance. Of course the laws are important but there are so many other factors to take into account and for me the most important is for them to want to go out on the pitch and play again next week with everyone knowing that it is safe for them to do so.

Life is short and rugby is there to be enjoyed.

[Simon Thomas]

ex-Lucy

oooops forgot RFU doesn't follow corporate protocols !

AndyMelrose@rfu.com (no . [dot] in name)

Simon T

[ex-lucy]

yes, Mike, agree, junior rugby should be fun and enjoyment for all participants ... but safe ..

i reffed a year 7s' school festival yesterday ...(knackering but fun for me too).. I concentrated on fun and safety .. uncontested scrums, immediate penalty for high tackles, no playing ball on floor... talking to one and all... mostly they listened to me and only two slight knocks all day and all enjoyed themselves ...
i reffed year 8s last week. Same result ... all because of getting it right with fun and safety ... being harsh but fair ...
this is why alot of teachers are turning back to rugby because of the discipline, control, fun, hard work, team work and well organised officials who concentrate on safety ..

[Robert Burns]

Can I have them for Rugbyrefs.com? Who is the oher author so I can give them the credit.