Junior law review and pilot law changes

Rugby Australia with support from its Member Unions is currently reviewing junior rugby laws to deliver better, safer and more age-appropriate experiences for players aged 8 to 15 years across Australia.

For all the details, explanations, and a place to provide feedback see Junior Law Review | Rugby Australia.

The most notable change is giving attacking teams breathing space to use the ball at set piece: no movement until ball is passed out. See the documents for details.

Summaries for each age group are:

• Under 8
• Under 9
• Under 10
• Under 11
• Under 12

Welcome to season 2026

   

Its time to start thinking rugby:

• Registration - go to https://myaccount.rugby.com.au, sign in, go to Register, search for Victorian Referees, click all the buttons.
• Accreditation - Complete Smart Rugby. and if you did not attend the annual update at Quins last week, also complete Season Ready in Rugby Xplorer's Learning Center.
• Unavailability - Enter your unavailability in Rugby Xplorer, if you are registered, and accredited, you can be appointed to games. If your unavailable at any time, you need to indicate that in Rugby Xplorer so that your name doesn't appear as available to appointment.

Monthly education - National community webinars

 

This year your monthly education comes to you directly from Rugby Australia. If you haven't already done so, go into the Learning Centre and sign up for the next four sessions to get reminders.

Session 1 has already happened; you can watch the recording. Session 2 is this week:

- Tuesday, March 11th: Game Setup & Interactions - Damon Murphy & Jess Ling
- Tuesday, April 8th: Assistant Refereeing/To3 - Reuben Keane & Tyler Miller
- Tuesday, May 13th: Contextual Refereeing - Angus Gardner
- Tuesday, June 10th: Refereeing the Set Piece - Jordan Way & Sarah Porter
- Tuesday, July 8th: Dealing with Pressure/High Impact Decisions - Nic Berry & Ella Goldsmith

To watch recordings, sign into Rugby Xplorer and click the link at the end of this post (it will take you to directly to the page). Else from the Rugby Xplorer menu click Learning Center > Resource Library > NATIONAL COMMUNITY MATCH OFFICIAL WEBINARS

Learning Center Resource Library - National Community Match Official Webinars

2025 Game Management Guidelines

 For those who missed the GMGs the link below has the most up to date document from Rugby Australia.

Link - GMGs

 

To register for a conversation Click Here

Welcome to season 2025

  

Its time to start thinking rugby:

• Fitness - Join your referee colleagues at Noel Clarke Field (Power House Rugby Ground)  6:30pm Mondays
• Registration - go to https://myaccount.rugby.com.au, sign in, go to Register, search for Victorian Referees, click all the buttons.
• Annual update - 9am, 23rd February at Harlequins Rugby Club

Enter your unavailability in Rugby Xplorer

  

If you haven't entered your unavailability in Rugby Xplorer, its pretty likely you'll get appointed to a game. If you then cannot accept that appointment, you will make at least 3 people (up to about 8) very grumpy. 

For step by step guidance see Entering your unavailability in Rugby Xplorer. (The look of the pages may subtly different, but its still the same basic steps)

Top tips for recording your unavailability:

• Enter your unavailability ASAP (appointments planning is done over weeks and months, not week to week)
• Use the website not the app 
• Always check Referee and Referee Coach boxes (even if you are not an accredited referee coach, you might be appointed in this category to mentor another referee)
• Always include times as well as dates (you might only be out for the morning, or afternoon, or it could be all weekend).

Enter your unavailability in Rugby Xplorer

  

If you haven't entered your unavailability in Rugby Xplorer, its pretty likely you'll get appointed to a game. If you then cannot accept that appointment, you will make at least 3 people (up to about 8) very grumpy. 

For step by step guidance see Entering your unavailability in Rugby Xplorer. (The look of the pages may subtly different, but its still the same basic steps)

Top tips for recording your unavailability:

• Enter your unavailability ASAP (appointments planning is done over weeks and months, not week to week)
• Use the website not the app 
• Always check Referee and Referee Coach boxes (even if you are not an accredited referee coach, you might be appointed in this category to mentor another referee)
• Always include times as well as dates (you might only be out for the morning, or afternoon, or it could be all weekend).

2024 season kicking off

 

Its time to start thinking rugby:

• Fitness - Join your referee colleagues at Noel Clarke Field (Power House Rugby Ground)  6:30pm Mondays
• Registration - go to https://myaccount.rugby.com.au, sign in, go to Register, search for Victorian Referees, click all the buttons.
• Annual update - 2/3rd March ie: Super Round Weekend. Specific date time and venue TBC

2024 season kicking off

 

Its time to start thinking rugby:

• Fitness - Join your referee colleagues at Noel Clarke Field (Power House Rugby Ground)  6:30pm Mondays
• Registration - go to https://myaccount.rugby.com.au, sign in, go to Register, search for Victorian Referees, click all the buttons.
• Annual update - 2/3rd March ie: Super Round Weekend. Specific date time and venue TBC

In memorium John MacKinnon

 

It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that John MacKinnon has passed away.

John MacKinnon was actively involved in rugby since schoolboy days in NZ. He played club rugby in Victoria until his mid-late 20's and then commenced refereeing here in the early 1970's. 

John was VRRA Treasurer in 1983 and Secretary in 1984 and 1985.

John spent time as Registrar, was on the Appointments Board, and was an active referee coach. John's record keeping has helped our recent efforts to collate a written history of the association greatly.

For a linkage to a current face around the grounds - John was one of the first refs that Al Grigg made contact with when he moved to Melbourne in the early 90's and helped him settle into Victorian rugby.

In memorium John MacKinnon

 

It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that John MacKinnon has passed away.

John MacKinnon was actively involved in rugby since schoolboy days in NZ. He played club rugby in Victoria until his mid-late 20's and then commenced refereeing here in the early 1970's. 

John was VRRA Treasurer in 1983 and Secretary in 1984 and 1985.

John spent time as Registrar, was on the Appointments Board, and was an active referee coach. John's record keeping has helped our recent efforts to collate a written history of the association greatly.

For a linkage to a current face around the grounds - John was one of the first refs that Al Grigg made contact with when he moved to Melbourne in the early 90's and helped him settle into Victorian rugby.

Meet Caleb and Theo

 

Caleb and Theo have had a great start to their refereeing in 2023 - here they are ready to run on to AAMI Park for the half time matches at the Rebels v Brumbies! Be sure to say hello when you see them around the grounds in club rugby. 

Remember their green shirt means they are new to refereeing, please support them (and all our green shirts) in every possible way.

Also, here's a big thank you to all the mums and dads who not only encourage their kids to play rugby, but also encourage them to referee. If you've thought about taking up the whistle you don't have to stop playing. Talk to us to about how you can continue to do both, just like Caleb and Theo.

Meet Caleb and Theo

 

Caleb and Theo have had a great start to their refereeing in 2023 - here they are ready to run on to AAMI Park for the half time matches at the Rebels v Brumbies! Be sure to say hello when you see them around the grounds in club rugby. 

Remember their green shirt means they are new to refereeing, please support them (and all our green shirts) in every possible way.

Also, here's a big thank you to all the mums and dads who not only encourage their kids to play rugby, but also encourage them to referee. If you've thought about taking up the whistle you don't have to stop playing. Talk to us to about how you can continue to do both, just like Caleb and Theo.

Appointments

Match official appointments are sent by email from Rugby Xplorer, typically at the beginning of the week for that next weekend. Changes are often made up until Friday evening so please do check your email Saturday morning!

Be sure to click to accept or reject the appoint ASAP (so that referee rearrangement can be done early).

By Thursday they usual settle and we update these lists for your reference: Appointments PDF and Appointments XLSX. Refer to these lists to see who else is at or near your ground that you might be able watch or support in anyway.

Appointments

Match official appointments are sent by email from Rugby Xplorer, typically at the beginning of the week for that next weekend. Changes are often made up until Friday evening so please do check your email Saturday morning!

Be sure to click to accept or reject the appoint ASAP (so that referee rearrangement can be done early).

By Thursday they usual settle and we update these lists for your reference: Appointments PDF and Appointments XLSX. Refer to these lists to see who else is at or near your ground that you might be able watch or support in anyway.

Annual update @ Quins 5th Mar, 8:30am to 12:30pm

 

It's time to update!

All existing and new referees are requested to attend the annual update to be held at Harlequins Rugby Club on 5th March 2023.

In this session we will learn of activities and initiatives of the VRRA for the coming season, get an update of the GMG's first hand from RA's Graham Cooper, and get to know some of your match official team mates better.

Please arrive between 8 and 8:30am, and as there will be an opportunity to work in small groups on Season Ready or Smart Rugby, bring along a tablet or computer to get yours done!

Annual update @ Quins 5th Mar, 8:30am to 12:30pm

 

It's time to update!

All existing and new referees are requested to attend the annual update to be held at Harlequins Rugby Club on 5th March 2023.

In this session we will learn of activities and initiatives of the VRRA for the coming season, get an update of the GMG's first hand from RA's Graham Cooper, and get to know some of your match official team mates better.

Please arrive between 8 and 8:30am, and as there will be an opportunity to work in small groups on Season Ready or Smart Rugby, bring along a tablet or computer to get yours done!

Referee Ready done. What's next FAQ

Q: I've done the course, now what do I do?

A: Join the VRRA and email Recruitment VP, Rob. To join the VRRA go to myaccount.rugby.com.au > Register > Find a Club > Victorian Referees. Then email Rob on vrrarecandret@gmail.com and let him know your general availability so he can appoint you to appropriate games. eg: you play or you're a parent who's involved with a particular school or club, you need to use public transport. This is critical so that we can plan to have a mentor or coach there for your first game. As well as morale support, they will bring green shirt, whistle, and other resources (although ideally we try to get that to you before game day).

Q: How many games to I have to do to be accredited?

A: It depends. Typically its around 5, but depending on your competence it may be fewer or more. In your first few games we aim to have a referee coach or mentor watch you, they will guide you on what you need to work on, and at the right time request a ref coach to complete a competency assessment. After you've completed online law exam and safety requirements, and this on-field assessment is done, you'll be given your full orange shirt uniform.

Q: When do I get paid?

A: Referee payments are processed by Rugby Victoria twice a season and paid directly to referees. Rugby Victoria will send you documents to complete, before payments can be made. Referees can opt to have their payments redirected to the VRRA to contribute to education and development activities, by sending Rugby Victoria written confirmation. Unless you paid your VRRA association fees upfront when registering, your first 3 match payments will go to the VRRA as your association fee.

Q: What should I expect from a referee coach?

A: The role of a referee coach is to support and encourage referee development. They provide advice on ways to improve your refereeing, can help you identify trends in the game, and answer any of your questions. Before the match they might ask you what you're working on so that they can look for that, and provide you with feedback. At the end of the game, they will discuss key aspects, and should provide you with written feedback within a few days of the game. 

Q: How do I keep learning about refereeing?

A: Come to ref training (Mondays 6:30pm at Albert Park), and our monthly meetings (see calendar on this page for place and dates) - these are great places for discussion with other referees. 

Q: How do I stay accredited?

A: Each year you will need to complete an online Season Ready course that encompasses elements of law and game management guidelines. Along with Smart Rugby every two years these are the key elements of accreditation.

Referee Ready done. What's next FAQ

Q: I've done the course, now what do I do?

A: Join the VRRA and email Recruitment VP, Rob. To join the VRRA go to myaccount.rugby.com.au > Register > Find a Club > Victorian Referees. Then email Rob on vrrarecandret@gmail.com and let him know your general availability so he can appoint you to appropriate games. eg: you play or you're a parent who's involved with a particular school or club, you need to use public transport. This is critical so that we can plan to have a mentor or coach there for your first game. As well as morale support, they will bring green shirt, whistle, and other resources (although ideally we try to get that to you before game day).

Q: How many games to I have to do to be accredited?

A: It depends. Typically its around 5, but depending on your competence it may be fewer or more. In your first few games we aim to have a referee coach or mentor watch you, they will guide you on what you need to work on, and at the right time request a ref coach to complete a competency assessment. After you've completed online law exam and safety requirements, and this on-field assessment is done, you'll be given your full orange shirt uniform.

Q: When do I get paid?

A: Referee payments are processed by Rugby Victoria twice a season and paid directly to referees. Rugby Victoria will send you documents to complete, before payments can be made. Referees can opt to have their payments redirected to the VRRA to contribute to education and development activities, by sending Rugby Victoria written confirmation. Unless you paid your VRRA association fees upfront when registering, your first 3 match payments will go to the VRRA as your association fee.

Q: What should I expect from a referee coach?

A: The role of a referee coach is to support and encourage referee development. They provide advice on ways to improve your refereeing, can help you identify trends in the game, and answer any of your questions. Before the match they might ask you what you're working on so that they can look for that, and provide you with feedback. At the end of the game, they will discuss key aspects, and should provide you with written feedback within a few days of the game. 

Q: How do I keep learning about refereeing?

A: Come to ref training (Mondays 6:30pm at Albert Park), and our monthly meetings (see calendar on this page for place and dates) - these are great places for discussion with other referees. 

Q: How do I stay accredited?

A: Each year you will need to complete an online Season Ready course that encompasses elements of law and game management guidelines. Along with Smart Rugby every two years these are the key elements of accreditation.