Referee Coaches
Training Programs for Referee Coaches
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has national training programs for referees, referee coaches and touch judges which are approved by the Australian Sports Commission under the National Officiating Accreditation Scheme.
Associated with each training program is a separate, competency-based assessment process that leads to a national accreditation. Details of the accreditation process for each discipline and level are contained in the ARU Officials Accreditation policy
Introductory (Level I) Referee Coach Training Program
Prerequisites: SmartRugby compliant
Course duration: 1 day
Outline: the aim of this training program is to provide participants with information and methodologies that will assist them to commence their referee coaching career. It is aimed at the beginner Referee Coach and provides tools to aid these Referee Coaches in the understanding of the role of the Referee Coach and for working with Referees in a development situation.
The program covers:
An introduction and overview of referee coaching and the relationship that
needs to be developed between a Referee Coach and a Referee.
Communication Skills required by Referee Coaches
Observation skills for Referee Coaches
Information on current refereeing and playing trends
Introduction to practical coaching skills
The practical application of the skills and knowledge learnt throughout the program
The following resources will be provided to participants at the course:
Participant workbook
Laws of the Game (if a current copy is not held)
Refereeing in Practice booklet (if not already held)
Referee Coaching in Practice booklet
Match Information Forms
Match Statistics Forms
Referee Coaching Report Forms
Current ARU Game Management Guidelines
Current iRB Match Officials Competencies
Current iRB Communication Protocol
Individuals are expected to take the next step towards obtaining accreditation as a Level 1 Referee Coach. This requires the completion of a Level 1 Referee Coach Competency Assessment Manual, a Law Examination and a Competency Assessment “field test”. Arrangements for completing these requirements should be made with your State Referee Manager or Referee Development Officer.
Intermediate (Level 2) Referee Coach Training Program
Prerequisites: Level 1 Referee Coach Accreditation, SmartRugby complaint
Course duration: 2 days
Outline: The aim of the program is to provide participants with information and methodologies that will assist in advancing their career as a Referee Coach. It is aimed at those Referee Coaches who have been coaching for 2 -3 years and are moving towards working with more experienced referees. In this regard, the program provides additional tools to aid the Referee Coach in their development and for working with Referees in a development situation.
The program covers the following:
An overview of the tools available for Referee Coaching at the next level;
Understanding the Athlete (Referee) and goal setting
Developing relationships with Referees and player coaches and negotiation practices;
Advanced Communication and Observation skills for Referee Coaches;
Developing the coaching advice
Information on current refereeing and playing trends;
Advanced practical coaching skills; and
The practical application of the skills and knowledge learnt throughout the program
The following resources will be provided to participants at the course:
Participant workbook
Referee Coaching in Practice booklet
Refereeing in Practice booklet
Laws of the Game book (if you do not already have a copy)
Match Information Forms
Match Statistics Forms
Referee Coaching Report Forms
Communication Planner Forms
Current ARU Game Management Guidelines
Current iRB Match Officials Competencies
Current iRB Communication Protocol
Course Evaluation Form
Individuals are expected to take the next step towards obtaining accreditation as a Level 2 Referee Coach. This requires the completion of a Level 2 Referee Coach Competency Assessment Manual, a Law Examination and a Competency Assessment “field test”. Arrangements for completing these requirements should be made with your State Referee Manager or Referee Development Officer.
Advanced (Level 3) Referee Coach Training Program
Prerequisites: Current Level 2 Referee Coach Accreditation, SmartRugby compliant
If not already completed, participants are required to attend a Level 2 player coaching course.
Course duration: 1 year (2 camps, monthly projects)
Outline: This course was developed for Referee Coaches who are identified as being coaches of higher level representative referees and talent identified referees in local areas. Participants are exposed to the latest developmental information as it relates to technical understanding of referee coaching, mental skills, game knowledge and game management. The program is run in conjunction with the advanced (Level 3) Referee Training Program. In addition, a number of sessions are completed with the Level 3 player coach participants.
Participants will be provided with a comprehensive workbook and a range of other resources to assist them in completing this program.
On completion of this program participants will be accredited as a Level 3 Referee Coach.
