Scott Fleming (NRRS) joins Jon Butcher (TDRRS), Steve Gasparek (TDRRS), Ben Wood (NRRS) and Marty Taylor (NRRS) as referees who have been recently nominated by their respective Branch Societies to membership on the Promising List.   This is the process by which the Branches advise the ORRS that one of their referees is good enough to referee at a higher level.   Supporting data in the form of at least two coaching reports has to accompany the nomination.  Also the referee has to have completed a fitness test recently to at least B3 standard. 

The Promising List is a stepping stone between the Branch and the ORRS.  Once on the Promising List, the referee will start receiving appointments directly from the ORRS Appointments Director.  He or she will receive regular Keenan, Jones, Bardon or OWL matches.  During these matches, the performance of the referee will be monitored and reported on.  The referee will also be allocated the services of a coach to help them make the transition from Branch Rugby to Provincial level.

Twice a year the ORRS Grading Committee meets to determine the Ontario Panel for the next period.  The performance of all Panel and Promisng List referees is reviewed.  Grades of existing Panel members may be adjusted.  Promising List members may be promoted to the Panel, kept on the Promising List, or sent back to their Branch for further experience.  

A Promising List member is not considered to be "on the Panel".  Only after promotion to B3 grade is the referee considerd to be a full Panel member.  In practical terrms, this means the referee may not refer to himself or herself as an "Ontario Panel Member" and  will not be eligible for any kit allocated to Panel members only.

For more information on the Panel Structure or Fitness Standards, click here.