The game needs more referees to support the playing of fixtures, so if interested in continuing a career on the pitch by officiating this is for you.....

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Club Match Official Programme - Desperate for referees for your fixtures?

Kent County RFU are working with Kent Referees Society to produce a programme to engage & retain referees in clubs. The Society are struggling to fulfil all weekly fixtures so each club having a designated club referee will take the pressure off the Society and enable each club to appoint their own referee to unappointed fixtures.

Our research and experience show us that we lose many referees post-course, due to a sense of isolation and a lack of confidence, which impacts their motivation to continue. Therefore, we are embarking on an extended programme that is supported by the RFU to engage and retain club referees.

What does the Club Match Official Programme deliver for the individual?

· One full day referee course

o RFU Introduction to Refereeing qualification AM

o Extended Society-led course PM

· Three post-course training sessions likely to be on a monthly basis

· A Club Match Official referee shirt on completion

· Post-course access to a one-to-one referee practical review session

· Society Support with red card process

What does the Club Match Official Programme deliver for the Community?

· More club referees for lower league games

· More club referees for age-grade games

· Better quality of referees at club level

· Higher retention of club referees

· Player retention due to better player experience

Therefore, we need a nominee from each club to come on the programme. All it will cost will be £35 pp. We have 40 places to offer across the county. Only one applicant per club, as we want all clubs to benefit from this offer. This programme will benefit both age grade and senior games therefore, applicants must be 18 or over. We want to generate a strong community of club referees.

The 2 dates on offer are either Saturday 16th November and Saturday 7th Dec at Aylesford RFC for the initial full day training.

Please contact the Kent County RFU office to register your interest specifying the Club, name and contact details of your nominee and availability for either date. Please also nominate a reserve in case we have room on course.

office@kent-rugby.org