Coaching, Certification, & Communication


A. Coaching:
Match officials should not perform without being coached and evaluated either on an occasional or, preferably, a regular basis.

(a) Just as players benefit from coaching so do match officials.
(b) Without evaluation of performance, appointments to NAWIRA tournaments can be done only on the previous year’s performance at such tournaments or on hearsay / opinion of individuals in authority.

(c) There should be a sizeable list of referee coaches, spread throughout the region. Such coaches should possess iRB Coaching Clinic qualification and have a degree of credibility.
(d) Coaches should be prepared to contribute to referee development on a regular basis by submitting copies of reports to (i) the referee, (ii) the local society, and (when appropriate, according to the standard of performance) (iii) the Director of Officials, NAWIRA who, in turn, will develop a bank of reports of all active referees.


B. Certification:

There is a need to provide the game’s participants with properly qualified officials.
1. All active referees should be provided with opportunities to obtain iRB certification in refereeing and touch judging.

2. Emphasis should be placed on touch judge certification alongside that of refereeing.


C. Communication relating to referee certification:
1. National societies are encouraged to organize iRB clinics according to need.

2. Such societies may invite iRB Official Educators to conduct such courses.
3. When a society requires assistance with appointment of an Official Educator the Director of Officials, NAWIRA shall assist by inviting an individual from a bank of iRB Official Educators within NAWIRA (or beyond).

4. The Director of officials, NAWIRA should be informed of all successful participants in all such clinics.
5. The Director shall maintain a comprehensive list of clinics that will be regularly updated according to information received.


The appointment of suitably trained and qualified match officials, opportunities for developing officials, and availability of referee coaching at all NAWIRA events will do much to ensure the present and future success and development of rugby within the region.

Roy Harvey
Director of Officials, NAWIRA



Source: IRB (by email)