Tan social run

During the offseason it's easy to slip into bad habits. To avoid this, join your referee teammates on run of the Tan each Thursday evening. All levels welcome as the goal is is to keep moving rather than breaking land speed records - think 'a conversational pace'. And there will always be willing folk to carry on the conversation over a meal or drink afterward. Meet for a 6:30pm start at the pillars near the Swan St bridge.

2019 AGM Notice

Join us at 6:30pm on 16th October at Henry and Fox for the AGM. Attendance is important - a quorum is required. As well as confirming minutes of prior meeting and receive/consider the financial statement for the year, we will also elect: Patron, President, VP Recruitment and Retention, VP Education and Development, VP Coaching and Grading, VP Community, Secretary and 2 Ordinary Committee Members.

2019 Awards Dinner

Join us at 6pm on 5th October at Henry and Fox to celebrate season 2019. $60 for a 3 course dinner payable by direct deposit to the VRRA bank account. 

July Ed: Refereeing for over 40s and Finals Rugby

So after our double booking in June - we're having another go at refereeing for over 40's as well as getting ready for finals rugby.

For revision, watch this video from Rohan Hoffman, and read this paper from Ron Mancell.

And for finals - take another look at the Vic Rugby Competition Rules (for juniors and seniors) and the Victorian Schools Local Rules.

Immediate implementation of law changes re scrum and high tackles

Referees will have received an email this week containing a letter from World Rugby pertaining to the immediate implementation of law changes re scrum and high tackles. The important bits are:

1) Law 19.10b changed to read “The front-rows crouch with their heads to the left of their immediate opponents’, so that no player’s head is touching the neck or shoulders of an opponent.”

2) The wording in the High Tackle Sanction Framework amended to remove references to direct or indirect contact and to simplify the questions within the framework.

3) The mandatory mid-range sanction in the Regulation 17 Sanction Table is amended to include both head and/or neck: “Note: Any act of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or neck shall result in at least a mid-range sanction”

Off Field Kit

Is chilly on the sideline? Do you feel you are getting lost in the crowd with all that navy blue attire? Get a splash of orange to add to your wardrobe.
From the Kit List pick a tracksuit, tshirt, hoodie, cap or bag and send an order and receipt of payment to John Stitt. All details are on the list.
Also coming soon, full waterproofs for when its real wet :).

June Ed: Refereeing for over 40s

Our June Ed session is going to be the 26th June, 6:30pm at Henry and The Fox. Although the title may appear to target a very specific audience... there's a pretty high percentage of us that fit the bill. And the session is great for those under 40 too - you get to see what's coming and you can be prepared!

Watch this video from Rohan Hoffman, and read this paper from Ron Mancell on the topic before the night and come prepared to share your experiences.

May Ed: Refereeing Conflict in U19 Rugby

The May Ed session was held in the Cricket Victoria Boardroom at Junction Oval. This was a national education session, lead by our own Shane Barr. You can catch up by watching the video recording. 

Documents handy to have on the sideline

We don't expect you to be reading these documents every game day, but they may come in handy when you are up to your third appointment of the day, each of different grades, or are calmly discussing aspects of the match with coaches, managers or other referees.

These documents (and many others) are all listed on the library page of this website, but consider this shortlist to either print out or have downloaded on your phone for quick reference:

1) Game Management Guidelines
2) Competition Rules
3) School Competition Rules
4) Grade Law Variations

April/May Ed: Contextual Refereeing

The April Ed session is going to be the 1st May in order to avoid the public holiday excuses. Please watch this video from Angus Gardner before hand.

Addendum: Slides from this session are now available

March Ed: Scrums and Pre-game Preparation

Come along to Harlequins Rugby Club 6:30pm Wednesday 27th to share and learn with your fellow refs. This week we will expand on the session run by our Brumbies counterparts on scrums. Watch this video to be prepared.

And the preparation theme continues - we will also recap what it takes to be prepared for you game, whether it be your first for the year, first ever, or one hundred and first.

Addendum: Slides from this session are now available here.

How to register with the VRRA

Whether you refereed last year (or previous) and intend to referee this year, or are new to refereeing in Victoria - you must register this year to be appointed to games.

In order to register, either download the "Rugby Xplorer" app (iOS and Android) and follow the prompts, or complete registration online starting here: https://myaccount.rugby.com.au

If you haven't already, you will need to set a new password for your existing rugby account. Use your MyRugby ID, or the email you have been using to log in to the Rugby Portal, and you will be able to set a new password.

In order to register, you'll need to search for this Association. The name in the system is Victorian Referees.

For those seeking to actively referee or referee coach, please choose 'Referee/Referee Coach/Asst Referee'. 

If you have a Working with Children Check but do not have the details on hand, answer 'NO'. These details can be updated another time.

Revisit the 2019 annual update

Thank you everyone for attending the annual update. You can review the presentation material here.

Plan your season

As discussed at the annual update, its time to start planning your season. This is not just about getting physically fit but also about what your goals for the season will be, and how you plan to achieve them.

In our library, you'll see two new documents that can help with this planning:

• Individual season plan, preparation word doc - Use this document to map out what you want to enter into Sideline. Remember that before you can save your plan in Sideline you need to add a coaches name. A coaches name will be sent to you, DO NOT pick one at random. For now, stick to the word doc.
• Goal setting - This is the presentation from last years education session on the topic. Use this to develop your plan.

New year, new season

Welcome to season 2019!

• The AGM has been had, congrats to returning committee members Tom, Stephan, Al, Mel, Brett (new role recruitment & retention), Rob (new role community), John (new ordinary member). Welcome to new committee member Robin (treasurer).
• Lock in the annual update for the 2nd March. Location to be confirmed soon.
• Training has started! Saturday's 9:30am (include time after for coffee/breakfast) - check Facebook for venue. Wednesday's 6:30pm Gosch's Paddock.