New Referees Courses Across The Provinces

A series of upcoming courses are giving people with an interest in sport an opportunity to try their hand at rugby refereeing.

The eight New Referees Courses being held in the months of August and September. These courses are designed to introduce prospective referees to the basics of refereeing.

They typically start at 9.30am in the morning and run until 4.30pm with an hour for lunch. Midweek options are also available (over two nights) in Limerick and Cork.

The first course available is in Belfast this coming Saturday (August 17). Richard Kerr is Referee Development Manager with Ulster Rugby.

“These courses are open to anyone with an interest in rugby refereeing,” said Kerr. “The most common type of participant are men and women with experience of playing the game but it’s open to anyone aged 18 years and over.

“The course in Belfast is a six-hour course. It starts off with presentations and work groups and finishes out on the pitch with a session on positioning. Anyone who wishes to progress can then enter into a support programme with ongoing mentoring.”

If you are interested in becoming a referee, you are welcome to contact the relevant person below in relation to the following upcoming courses:

CONNACHT:

• Saturday, September 7 – McWilliam Park Hotel, Kilcolman Road, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
• Sunday, September 8 – The Connacht Hotel, Old Dublin Road, Galway

To book or enquire, contact Peter Fitzgibbon, Referee Development/Education Manager: email Peter Fitzgibbon or phone +353 86 832 2987.

LEINSTER:

• Saturday, August 24 – Terenure College School, Templeogue Rd, Terenure, Dublin, D6W DK72

To book or enquire, contact Sean Gallagher, High Performance Referee: email Sean Gallagher or phone: +353 86 100 3985.

MUNSTER:

• Saturday, September 14 – Hibernian Hotel, Main Street, Mallow, Co. Cork
• Monday, September 16-Tuesday, September 17 (6.30pm-9pm) – Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick
• Wednesday, September 18-Thursday, September 19 (6.30pm-9pm) – Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Cork
• Sunday, September 22 – Charleville Park Hotel, Limerick Road, Charleville, Co. Cork

To book or enquire, contact Chris Harrington, Referee Development Manager: email Chris Harrington or phone: +353 87 2750586.

ULSTER:

• Saturday, August 17 – Newforge Sports Complex, 18b Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5NW

To book or enquire, contact Richard Kerr, Referee Development Manager: email Richard Kerr or phone: +44 7493 868 388.