25th October 2024

RFU Innovation Fund – Support to NLD clubs for the Recruitment & Retention of Club Referees

Following the e-mail sent to all NLD Club Chairs on the 7th October, there has been a low uptake of NLD Clubs expressing an interest in being involved in the RFU Recruitment and Retention of Club referees Innovation Fund Initiative.
The original letter from Jeff Mapp (NLDRFU) and Steve Whiteside (NLDRFURS) outlining the purpose and intent of this initiative is shown below.
The deadline for responses has now been extended to the 31st October.  

         

RFU Innovation Fund 2024/25 – Exciting news for all NLD Clubs

 

Dear Chair,

We are writing to you on behalf of the NLD Constituent Body and the NLDRU Referee Society in order to share with you an exciting opportunity that has arisen from a joint successful bid to the RFU Innovation Fund 2024/25.

The funding is to be invested into the recruitment, retention and deployment of both new and existing club referees across NLD. The key objective will be to increase the number of qualified and experienced referees to meet the growing demand across NLD Senior, Women, Age Grade and University rugby levels.

We are currently in the planning stages of organising suitable training venues across the three NLD counties and attendees will receive further invites throughout the season to additional social and tutorial based events.

This training will be held in addition to any England Rugby Refereeing Award (ERRA) or Introduction to Rugby (ITR) courses being held across NLD. Persons that have already attended or are attending imminent ERRA /ITR courses are also welcome to attend this training which will further supplement their knowledge and experience.

It is apparent from many of the 2024/25 NLD Club action plans that the development and retention of club referees is seen as a key enabler to the sustained growth in fixtures across all playing categories and levels. Could we please encourage you to share this unique opportunity with your Committee colleagues, Club Staff, Players and Members.

This is also a great opportunity for your younger members (boys and girls age 14 years and over) as well as Mums and Dads to step forward if they have an ambition to pick up the whistle.

At this point, we would ask that you confirm an expression of interest by e-mail to the address below by the 21st October 2024 together with the contact details of the person who will co-ordinate your club response. Please include name, club role, mobile number and e-mail address.

All responses to:  [email protected]

 

We look forward to hearing from you and we wish you every success for the 2024/25 season.

Kind regards

Steve Whiteside                                                                          Jeff Mapp

Chair                                                                                              Chair

NLDRURS                                                                                    NLDRFU

At this stage we are only inviting an expression of interest and once clubs have responded then further details will be issued in terms of capturing Club nominations. This referee training is targeted from age 14 years and upwards for boys and girls and at adult level to include Mums and Dads and any persons with the ambition to pick up the whistle and play an active role in officiating on match days.
This is a one off opportunity across our three counties to make a real difference in growing the number of club referees against a background of increased weekly demand for referees across age grade and senior rugby games.