Referee Pathway
The Welsh Rugby Union is responsible for recruiting, developing and producing referees and match officials to officiate over games and matches at all levels within Welsh Rugby and throughout the world. Welsh Rugby Union match officials participate in a number of elite level test matches and in all elite tournaments including the World Cup, The Rugby Championship, Six Nations and the World Sevens series. However it is at the grass roots level of the game that referees are recruited, trained and learn the game from a refereeing perspective.
The referee pathway will guide you through the development process of your refereeing career.
Level 1
WRU Referee Level 1-
In order to become a qualified referee candidates must attend a level 1 refereeing course. The course consists of practical refereeing and knowledge of the laws. Successful completion of the course allows individuals to referee club rugby up to the age of 16 and Schools rugby up to under 18.
Compulsory Pre Course Tasks
Rugby Ready – Click Here
Laws of the Game – Click Here
Aims
The course provides referees with an introduction to the game of rugby union and the principles and practice of safe, ethical and effective management and refereeing of players to Junior age groups. The course qualifies the referee to participate in junior community games. The WRU Referee Level 1 qualification in Rugby Union aims to develop a referee’s ‘How to Referee’ skills as well as improve their ‘What to Referee Skills’. The course is a modular course made up of the following key areas:
Key Areas of the Course:
• The role of the referee
• Working with Children
• Managing the match day environment
• Laws of the Game
• Health and Safety
Entry Requirements: Minimum Age 16
Outline
• The course has been designed to blend the learners knowledge with 1 day face to face learning and a series of online topics to be completed away from the course.
• The course is a competence based course and involves on-course appraisal
• The course involves both classroom and outdoor practical sessions. Referees are expected to participate fully in all activities
Cost: £70
To Book wru.wales/courses
Level 2
Level 2
Progression from Level 1 to Level 2 is achieved by means of a mentoring system. Prospective level 2 referees are allocated a mentor who will accompany them to games in order to support them and give them advice and guidance. Once deemed competent the referee will then be allocated a level 2 status.
Aims
To develop current WRU Referee Level 1 candidates within the game of rugby union along with the principles and practice of safe, ethical and effective management and refereeing of players of all Youth and Senior ages. This programme of development qualifies the referee to participate in Youth, Conference and Senior Women’s community games. The WRU Referee Level 2 qualification in Rugby Union aims to develop a referee’s ‘How to Referee’ skills as well as improve their ‘What to Referee Skills’. The programme is a modular and made up of the following key areas:
Key Areas of Development:
• The role of the referee
• Working with youth and senior players
• Managing the match day environment
• Laws of the game
• Health and safety
Entry Requirements:
Minimum Age 18 and current WRU Referee Level 1 qualification.
Outline
This programme will be a supported by a WRU Referee Educator who will assess and develop your skills by observation of your practice during Level 1 games.
Level 3
Level 3:
Progression to level 3 is based on performance and invitation. Level 2 referees are regularly monitored and those showing promise are promoted to level 3. There are 9 grades within level 3 from 3P to Elite. Progression through the grades depends on performance.