Mar 9 -  This is the clinic season with lots of Refereeing Certification Clinics being held across the Province.   Some are listed in the Events column but it is suggested that you click on "Clinics" on the menu above to get all the latest information from the Development Officer in your area.        

Mar 9 - Some of the presentation material from the Panel Referees Workshop has been added to the Technical section.  To access it, click on "Technical" on the menu bar above and then on "Reffing the Modern Game".

Mar 8 - ORRS Development plan for 2011 (see below)

Mar 6 -  Sad news from Ottawa that Dave Kane died in his sleep at age 66.    Steve Skorenky writes " Dave had quite a knowledge, intuition and passion for rugby.  I can say that many of us who took to the pitch, whistle in hand, benefited from his candid, instructive advice he generously gave over a beer in a quiet space at Twin Elm over the years.  He helped many of us grow as referees and mature as individuals.  His contributions to the EORRS will be remembered and he will not be forgotten by his friends here in Ottawa."      Dave's wife, Cathy Browne can be reached by Facebook or at cb@cathybrowne.com

Feb 28 - The Panel Referees Workshop was a great success (see below)

Feb 26 - A new Stoltz!  Congratulations to Derek on the birth of a daughter, Quinne Madison. 

Feb 11 - Panel Referees' Workshop (see below)

Feb 2 - To referee ages U16 or below , you must complete a "Police Check" at least every four years - and that includes teachers.   Click on the FAQ on the left hand side for more details.

Jan 28 - Joyce Henry gets Six Nations appointment (see below)

Jan 26 - Dangerous tackles must be penalized (see below)

Jan 17 - New award for High Performance Match Officials (see below)

Jan 10 - Rugby Canada announces National Panel for 2011 (see below)

Costa Nicolaidis, Development Chair for the ORRS, is pleased to unroll the programme outline for 2011.

It was a busy weekend for the Panel Referees' Workshop at the University of Toronto on February 26 and 27 with the top Ontario referees and referee coaches being exposed to the latest thinking on Sevens and other aspects of refereeing.  

Pat McNally, National Sevens Referee Manager for USA Rugby, is the highlight speaker at a workshop for Panel referees to be held at the University of Toronto on February 26 and 27.   As the photo shows, he is a man of action, not just words, so be prepared.

Hearty congratulations to Joyce Henry who has been appointed to referee the Italy v Ireland Women's Six Nations clash.

The IRB has issued a second notice reminding that dangerous tackles must receive meaningful penalties  .....

The Canadian Rugby Foundation has created an award to assist High Performance Match Officials.

Congratulations to all the 11 members re-appointed to the National Panel, particularly the 6 from Ontario.  Also to Joyce Henry on her appointment to the first IRB Women Referees Panel.

Jason Lees has been appointed to Dubai Sevens.

New Law amendments are designed to put player welfare first .....

Two closely contested election highlighted the ORRS AGM ....... 

Congratulations go to Steve Gasparek and Ben Wood who were recently promoted to the Ontario Panel.

There has been another case of theft of referee's possessions.  This time from changerooms at Brantford.  This is not the first time.  Fletcher's has been the site of  previous incidents.

With the end-of season playoffs imminent, it is very important that everybody understands who can and cannot be in the Technical Zone.

When Paddy O'Brien speaks, the Rugby World listens.  See what he has to say about the latest interpretations.

Keep your eyes open for the guys and gals in the pink!   They are the the referees of the future. 

Ontario referees are on the move.  Karen Lozada and Andrew Hosie have returned from Portugal and the World University Sevens while Andrew Hall is at an IRB Referee Camp in South Africa.

Whether you are a referee or a referee coach, it is your responsibility to ensure that your NRCP certification is up to date.   You need to take action at least every four years.

Good news, bad news.  The good news is that referees receive some reimbursement for travel to games.  The bad news is that there are limits.  Make sure you know them. 

The issue of faith-based headgear has been highlighted by a recent incident here in Ontario.

All members have been urged by ORRS Chair, Gareth Callaway,  to clamp down on verbal abuse aimed at match officials and others.

The NRRS has brought out a brochure introducing refereeing to new members. 

The first update for 2010 is now available with important infomation on reffing the Big Four.

Congratulations go out to four ORRS Panel Referees as they have been promoted to the National Panel of Referees.  Andrew Hall, Andrew Hosie, Andrew McMaster and Karen Lozada have advanced from the Focus Group and now join Derek Stoltz and Joyce Henry as representatives from Ontario on the National Panel. 

Have you visited the new website with lots of referee development material?

"Policies and Procedures" - boring!!   But, maybe not!!   If you are looking for something and can't find it anywhere else, the chances are that it is here.  There's also lots of good stuff that you might not expect.  For example, in "Game Day Administration",  what to do when you have two teams ready to go, but no lines on the field.   Most recently, expense claim procedures have been updated. 

Trevor Arnold, the Referee Development Manager, for Rugby Canada has some comments following two weeks at the 2009 Nations Cup and the Canada Summer Games

The IRB has issued updated guidance on refereeing the maul, together with some very helpful videos.  Check out the web link.

Statistics get a bad rap as in "lies, damned lies and statistics" but they can be useful.  For statistics from some games in Ontario in 2009 .......

You've been to reffing clinics. You know your Law Book. You are super-fit. Now it's time to actually ref a game. But, first there is some administration.

A reminder that Squeeze Ball is illegal in U19 Rugby

Have you filled in a Feedback Form recently?  

Are you abiding by the 90 minute rule?  Do you know what the 90 minute rule is?

Stating the obvious ...... lightning is dangerous

The IRB is pleased to announce a new website dedicated entirely to the Laws of the Game.

A reminder from the Rugby Ontario office that Game Sheets must be completed after each match ........

Our thanks to all who have made this website possible.