Refereeing is crucial to successful Rugby. Boroughmuir has a long-term plan to help boost the number of youth referees in Scotland. I caught up with Malcolm and Graham who drive this forward, and in a related development, the Edinburgh Rugby Referees Society have asked for more adult officials to step forward, so if you’re interested in laying down the law, read on:-
Andy – Tell us about refereeing and what Boroughmuir does to support this in Scotland?
Malcolm – Boroughmuir has a history of club members delivering top quality refereeing. Jim Fleming, the last Scot to referee at the World Cup was from Boroughmuir.
Our ambition in the Academy is to get to a point that a coach never has to referee their own team. To deliver this we’ve asked coaches, two adults per Midi age groups and three under 18 players to take the ‘introduction to match officiating’ course.
Graham – The ‘introduction to match officiating’ course is well run and supported by Scottish Rugby and the Society of Referees. It’s hugely positive for players as they gain a much better understanding of how matches work and what referees are looking for.
Having seven of the current U16’s playing squad qualify as referees we’ve seen how this helps shape matches as this knowledge is applied on the field to the advantage of our team. It helps players understand what questions to ask the referee and what ones not to ask them. It helps train a squad in how to deal with tricky match situations.
Malcolm – Match officiating offers playing aged players better game understanding, boosted confidence and conviction. For adults, and older members, it offers a path to stay involved in top quality rugby for longer, as officials are always in high demand. If you’re ambitious, then there’s a chance to help officiate high level rugby on offer.
Andy Thanks both – good to hear about the extra opportunity that refereeing offers. Malcolm, can you tell me more about refereeing for the Academy?
Malcom – Young referees will always be given matches at the appropriate level – there’s no shortage of matches, so you’ll always be leading an appropriate match. The club also has a great support network, with Pete Carruthers, and the Society of Referees who will provide great support to anyone embarking on this path.
Andy – Graham tell me a bit more about refereeing at the older level
Graham – There’s just been a call from the Edinburgh Rugby Referees Society for more adult officials able to offer part time officiating. There’s a Saturday where there are nineteen games but only twelve referees available, and more mature individuals capable of managing East Regional fixtures are needed.
Anyone who may only be able to commit one or two Saturdays per month to officiating a game is encouraged contact me at graham.allyhogg@gmail.com.
Andy – Thanks. Refereeing is a vital, pressurised position. Coaches, players and crowds often think they know best. How does it feel to be a referee, and what support is available to cope with the challenges you might face?
Malcolm– Rugby gives a referee the tools to control a situation. Referees can, should and do speak to captains to enforce messages about discipline and how they want the game to be played. This means that teams need to self-manage. Coaches and crowds are naturally caught up in the moment, it’s a referee’s job to stay impartial, calm and in control.
Graham – After matches, players have always spoken kindly to me in the bar afterwards. There is also a really strong support network. Referees are human, and mistakes will always happen. But honestly, people’s bark is worse than their bite.
Andy – Finally, do you both enjoy refereeing?
Malcolm- Yes, it’s great fun, and I’ve got myself into the system and will be spending two weeks refereeing in the Caribbean. It’s an unexpected highlight of refereeing that I enjoy on a day to day basis any way
Graham – Yes. It’s great – seeing players develop an understanding of what I as a referee want and need them to do, and ensuring that good quality, enjoyable and safe, rugby, played at a high level is really rewarding to be part of and help facilitate.
Comments