Become a Referee

 

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Touch Judging

·  How do I become a certified Referee?
·  What is the Level 1 course?
·  What is the Level 2 referee course?
·  What are the level 1, 2/3 Touch-judge courses?
·  What is CIPP?
·  What should I do when I am a Touch Judge?

Answer
·  How do I get certified to Referee?

In order to referee any 1st side game in Northern California Rugby Football Union, you must obtain USA Rugby Level 1 certification.

Local clinics are usually conducted in the Fall. Courses around the country are listed under "Upcoming Events" on the USA Rugby website (www.usarugby.org)

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·  What is the Level 1 course?

  • Eligibility - Students must have a minimum of one year playing experience or receive exemption from the instructor.
    • Those who do not need to take the Introduction to Rugby course first.
  • CIPP
    • If intending to referee, students must be CIIP registered. It is the individual’s responsibility to register with USA Rugby as forms will not be available at the course.
    • Registration may be done on-line at www.usarugby.org.
  • Course description
    • The Level 1 Referee Course is the basic course. It covers the referee’s priorities, provides an introduction to the Laws, and examines scrums, ruck/mauls, tackles, line-outs, offside, and advantage with focus on the critical parts and how to referee them. When a student has completed this course, and the accompanying test, they are ready to begin refereeing safely. This is just the first step in a referee’s education, but it is the necessary beginning.
    • The course does not go through the Laws page by page. That is left for the student to do with the take-home test. The test is contains 100 questions, 15 of which are designated as “safety related”. To pass the student must get all of the “safety” questions correct and an overall score of 95. The test must be submitted to the National Office for grading within 90 days of taking the course. Students who do not pass first time will be given the opportunity to retake the test.
    • Students will receive a Law Book and a Course Manual upon arrival. Upon successful completion of the course and test they become certified.
    • The course takes about seven to eight hours to complete and is conducted mainly in the classroom. You will not require paper as the course manual has sufficient blank spaces for note-taking, but you will need a pen or pencil to write with.
  • Fees
    • The cost of the course is $35 payable to Northern California Rugby Referee Society
    • Society membership is $10 per year

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·  What is the Level 2 referee course?

  • Eligibility - Students must have passed the Level 1 referee course. Also 1 year of fulltime refereeing or a grade of C3 or permission from the instructor.
  • Course description
    • The level 2 course is the intermediate course. It is designed for full-time referees looking to make C1 and possibly the B-panel. The course is an in-depth analysis of all phases of the game, as well as fitness, preparation, and game management.
    • Upon completion of the course material, the student takes a 'closed-book' examination in class, on which 80% is required to pass.
    • The course takes a day and a half to complete, and will take most of a weekend (often run in conjuntion with the touch judge courses)
  • Fees
    • The cost of the course is $100 payable to Northern California Rugby Referee Society
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·  What are the level 1, 2/3 Touch-judge courses?
  • The Level 1 Touch Judge course is intended for club touch judges and all referees.
    • The laws regarding touch and kicks at goal are covered in-depth.
    • Cost $20 to USA Rugby Time about 1.5 hrs
  • The Level 2/3 Touch Judge course is intended for certified referees.
    • This course covers more advanced usage of the touch-judges in a 'Team-of-Three'.
    • Main topics are foul-play, and communication protocols.
    • Cost $30 to USA Rugby Time about 2 hours

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·  What is CIPP?
  • CIPP is the annual certification thru USARugby.
    ALL Referees must pay annual dues to be in good standing with the society, and be eligible to referee. To sign-up and pay try here

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Level One Referee Certification Course

The Northern California Rugby Football Union continues to experience a shortage of referees.  More referees are needed, particularly to cover the increasing number of collegiate women and youth games.

Without more refs, there will be many matches without them. If you want to ensure referees for your matches, get someone from your club qualified to referee. The NCRFU Referee Society is sponsoring USA Rugby referee certification courses to train more referees.

Level 1 is for starting and uncertified referees. A certified referee is required for all matches, youth, collegiate, women, and adult that count toward a national championship (i.e. league games).

The fee for Level 1 course is $35, all of which goes to the USA Rugby Referee and Law Committee. Society membership fees are $10 per year. The check should be made payable to the Northern California RFU Referee Society.

Certification will only be granted to those CIPP registered ($45 per year) through USA Rugby.

Registration (completion of the registration documentation, payment of course fees, and distribution of student materials) will commence at 8:00 a.m.  The class will begin as soon as all pre-registered students and walk-ins, if any, have completed registration, so don't be late.  There will be one hour lunch break, with the class concluding by approximately 4:30 p.m.

You also will receive your own current USA Law Book as part of the course materials.

Persons interested in refereeing should contact Rob Hendrickson at RCHendrickson@duanemorris.com or Mike Malone at mgmalone@comcast.net.

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USA Rugby Touch Judge Certification Courses

The Society conducts Level 1, 2, and 3 Touch Judge Courses at various times throughout the year. 

Level 1 of the course addresses the basic requirements of touch judging and will prepare team touch judges to perform these basic tasks.  This course is completed in approximately  90 minutes.  Persons seeking only the Level 1 certification as team touch judges need not stay for the remainder of the training.

Level 2 addresses the chores of a touch judge when given Law 6.B.6 authority, dealing with foul play.  Level 3 addresses the advanced aspects of touch judging when acting as a team of three with the assigned referee.  Level 2 and 3 are completed in approximately four hours.  Levels 1, 2, and 3 Touch Judge course certification is required of all referees and is a prerequisite for the rank of C3.

The course fee for the Level 1 Course is $20.00.  The course fee for Levels 2 and 3 is an additional $30.00, although the total fee of $50.00 will be paid by the Northern California Referee Society for its active members; active meaning those members who actively referee Society assignments. 

Persons desiring to take these course should pre-register with Mike Malone at mgmalone@comcast.net.

All clubs in the NCRFU are strongly encouraged to have at least two members certified as Level 1 touch judges.

To be eligible to take the Level 2 course, one must first complete Level 1. To be eligible for the Level 3 course, one must complete Level 2. All courses may be taken sequentially in one day..

All members of the NCRFU Referee Society are requested to attain Level 3 certification. Every referee C3 and above must take all three courses (T1, T2, T3) to continue to be referee certified.

Cost of the courses are: Level 1 - $20, Level 2 - $15, Level 3 - $15, All three - $50. All fees go to the USA Rugby Referees and Laws Committee.

To be a certified USA touch judge one must be currently CIPP registered in addition to passing the TJ course.

See Touch Judging for more information.

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