Stay involved
Remain part of rugby and experience the game from a completely new perspective.
BECOME A REFEREE
YOUR GAME.
YOUR call.
YOUR FIRST WHISTLE STARTS HERE
There's more than one way to be part of rugby.
Whether you're stepping away from playing, already involved in the game or simply looking for a new challenge, refereeing gives you a completely different view of rugby.
You won't be expected to figure it out alone. From your first enquiry onwards, Berkshire Rugby Referees will help you take the next step.
I'M INTERESTED ↓
WHY REFEREE?
STAY IN
THE GAME.
SEE IT
differently.
One whistle opens up a completely different game.
Refereeing keeps you involved in rugby, challenges you physically and mentally and gives you the opportunity to develop skills that reach far beyond the touchline.
Some referees come from playing. Some have coached. Others start with very little rugby experience at all.
What matters is being willing to learn.
Challenge yourself
Develop confidence, communication, decision-making and fitness.
Join a community
Become part of a community of referees who support one another on and off the field.
YOUR JOURNEY
FROM
INTERESTED
TO established.
Becoming a referee isn't one big leap. It's a supported journey — and we'll be alongside you as you progress.
01
INTERESTED
Start the conversation.
Thinking about refereeing? Get in touch with us and we'll talk you through what's involved, answer your questions and explain how to get started.
02
GET QUALIFIED
Learn the essentials.
Complete your referee course and begin gaining experience with support from Berkshire and local rugby clubs.
Your early games help you put what you've learned into practice and build confidence.
03
THE ACADEMY
Build your experience.
The Berkshire Referee Academy provides additional support while you develop — including monthly online sessions, coaching, mentoring and development match opportunities.
04
ESTABLISHED
Keep moving forward.
Once established within Berkshire Rugby Referees, development continues through monthly training, coaching, assessment and the grading process.
BERKSHIRE REFEREE ACADEMY
YOUR FIRST
SEASON.
supported.
NEW TO THE WHISTLE
Qualifying is only the beginning.
Starting out as a referee can feel like a big step. That's why new Berkshire referees receive structured support as they gain experience.
The Academy helps bridge the gap between completing your course and becoming an experienced Berkshire Rugby Referees official.
WHEN
1ST
THURSDAY
TIME
8–9
PM
WHERE
ONLINE
MONTHLY
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
READY FOR
READY FOR
THE REAL game.
Be prepared.
Learn how appointments and availability work, how to use Who's The Ref, what to expect before a match and the safeguarding essentials every referee needs to understand.
Build confidence.
Develop communication, signals and practical refereeing skills while learning from real situations encountered on the pitch.
Know what happens next.
Understand post-match responsibilities, including administration and dealing with reportable incidents when required.
Keep progressing.
Learn how coaching, mentoring, assessment, grading and personal development all fit together as your refereeing develops.
SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT
YOUR
WHISTLE.
NOT ON
YOUR own.
We don't just qualify referees. We develop them.
New referees can benefit from development match opportunities, increased coach and mentor contact and support around their early appointments.
As you gain experience, that support evolves with you through our training, coaching, assessment and progression.
EXPLORE TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT →
GOOD TO KNOW
THE PRACTICAL
THE PRACTICAL
side.
Getting started is easier when you know what to expect.
Referee around your life.
You don't have to be available every weekend. Tell our Appointments Team when you can referee, including Saturdays, Sundays or midweek, and we'll take your availability into account.
Learn, then take the field.
Annual Society membership is £10. New referees complete the RFU Ready to Ref course. Berkshire then helps you gain experience, including an observed match, as you work towards Society membership.
Look the part.
Upon your first Society appointment, you're entitled to one Xact II match shirt in red, green or sky blue. After 10 Society appointments, you receive two more shirts (completing all three colours), two pairs of black Kiwi Pro shorts, two pairs of black socks, a dark navy Photon polo shirt (Photon II for women), TJ flags and a wallet with red and yellow cards.
Find your level.
Enjoy community rugby or work towards higher-level appointments. Coaching, feedback and the Southern Federation pathway can help you progress at a pace that suits you.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
READY TO
READY TO
start?
Start with a conversation.
You don't need to know every law. You don't need years of experience. And you don't need to decide everything today.
Send us your details and our recruitment team will get in touch to answer your questions, explain the referee course and talk you through what happens next.
I'M INTERESTED IN REFEREEING →Want to learn more before getting in touch? Read our New Referee Information Pack.
DOWNLOAD NEW REFEREE INFORMATION PACK (PDF) ↓