A Model for Self-Development

Rationale:

The Society would like every referee to adopt a ‘continual improvement’ model for the development of their refereeing career. The Model below is the suggested method for how referees can do this.

 Purposes of the Model.

  1. encourage self-analysis and mutual support as tools for more effective learning and enjoyment for all Society referees;
  2. offer a range of resources for referees to use to aide their development;
  3. maximize the impact and effectiveness of scarce Society resources;
  4. ill a gap identified by Society members.

A Society Model for Referee Development.

  1. The Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT – Premiership and Championship Levels 1 and 2)) has successfully adopted a self-analysis, reflection ‘pod’ system for its Referees, Assistant Referees and other Match Officials that has self-analysis and mutual learning at its core. The basis is the need to enable referees to solve their own issues during the game as it progresses.  The model is being replicated throughout levels 3, 4, 5 (the National Panel of Referees) and Divisional Leagues.
  2. With some appropriate modifications for all Society referees, be they ‘ambitious’, i.e., those seeking higher levels, or ‘content’, i.e., those content with their grade but wishing to improve, this model can be adapted to Society members’ benefit.
  3. It is to be used on a voluntary basis but see Table 1. Referees will take what they wish from it, based on their         own ambitions, aspirations and development needs, but it comes highly recommended.
  4. The Model comprises a range of activities, documents and other devices, supported by various Society members and officers, designed to encourage self-analysis and mutual learning, see Table 2 for details.
  5. For new/Probationer referees, a ‘pod’ system is at its core. This is a group of referees (usually approx. no more than five or six members), together with a ‘Buddy’.  A pod is a voluntary group of referees who meet up, virtually or f2f, usually once a fortnight, or as frequently as they wish, to exchange views, experiences etc. they drive the ‘agenda’.  Whilst normally ‘voluntary’, the Society strongly recommends this approach as a key element of the support for new Society referees.  The Buddy is a resource the pod uses.  It is the pod, not the Buddy, that instigates and leads the meetings/discussion.  The Buddy is a facilitator.  For Probationers, the Buddy is the ‘go to’ for advice, etc.

 TABLE 1. Who is the Referee Development Model for?

Which referees? Mandatory or optional?
Probationers Highly Recommended, ‘pod’ compulsory, ‘log’, optional
Society Optional and recommended
Federation Associates Highly recommended, in Fed pod
Federation Members Mandatory, in Fed pod

 

How does it work?

  1. The Model is for all referees and is optional. If you are interested in being the best referee you can be, you will partake.
  2. To ‘sign up’, contact the Society RDO. Probationers will be assigned to the ‘Probationer Pod’ and are encouraged to complete a ‘Probationer Log’ (Table 4).  Other referees may choose to create their to own pod(s).  Referees may choose to use the Referee Game Development Self-Analysis form (Table 3) for their own purposes.

 

Table 2. Gloucester & District Referees’ Society Ltd: A Model for Referee Development .

Model Constituent parts

 

 Who supports it? Who is it for?  ( ✓ = yes)
New member

Probationer (1)

 Levels 12-10 Level 9 Levels 8-6

‘Content’

 Levels 8-6

‘Ambitious’
1. Probation Log RRO ✓
2. ERRA Registration by now RFU ✓
3. Buddy/ Society ‘What’s App’ RRO/SMODO ✓ ✓
4. ‘Guide for New Referees’ www.gladref.co.uk ✓ ✓ ✓
5. ‘SAFER’ packs (2) www.gladref.co.uk ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
6 TJ to experienced ref RRO/SMODO ✓
7. Appointed Game with/without Voice Recorder Referee, with SMODO, PR, Buddy? ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
8. PR feedback SMODO ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
9. Coach feedback SMODO   ✓
10. Game Self analysis form www.gladref.co.uk, Referee ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
11. KYBO Resources www.keepyourbootson ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
12. Referees ‘pod’ Referee, plus others, plus Buddy, apptd by RDO ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
13. Monthly meetings RDO ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
14. YMO YMODO ✓ ✓
15. World Rugby Law book www.worldrugby.com ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
16. World Rugby Law test

(pre- and post- ERRA)

 www.worldrugby.com ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
17.Annual Aspiration form RDO/Appointments Officer ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
18. Game Regulations www.swrugby.co.uk

Gloucestershire RFU

 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
19. fitness testing RDO ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
20. Gloucester & District Badge Vice Chairman ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
21. video of game(s) Society Video Officer

isportanalysis

 ✓ ✓ ✓
22. Exchanges Exchanges Officer ✓ ✓ ✓
23. Federation Associate Society nomination ✓ ✓ ✓
24. Federation Member As 23. ✓

Notes

(1) Application form to RRO

(2) A series of guides to refereeing phases of the game. (e.g. Tackle & Ruck, Scrum etc)

(3) Glossary of Acronyms ERRA England Rugby Referee Award; KYBO Keep Your Boots On; PR Performance Reviewer; RDO Referee Development Officer;RFU Rugby Football Union; RRO Recruitment and Retention Officer; SAFER ‘Self Analysis For Enjoyable Refereeing’; SMODO Society Match Observer Development Officer; YMO Young Match Official; YMODO Young Match Official Development Officer.