Receiving an appointment - The Appointments Secretary of your Referees Society will contact you to tell you that you have been appointed to ref A at B on such and such a date.

 

Confirming the appointment - The home club will contact you in the week before the game with time and place of the game. Make sure you get good directions to the ground. Do not assume that it's the same ground as last year, or even last month.

 

Arriving at the ground - Arrive early. Find and introduce yourself to the two captains. Arrange for a time to inspect player equipment e.g. 15 minutes before kick-off. Remind captains of the need for team lists.

 

Inspecting the Field - Walk around the field checking for pads on the posts, flexible touch flags, proper field markings and no unsafe conditions. There should be a rope barrier on each side of the field for the full length of the field.

 

Expediting the paperwork - Obtain team lists on the Game Report Sheet(s) from both clubs. The list must be signed by a team official to confirm that all players are registered with the Rugby Ontario. This is an insurance requirement. The list also tells you which players are capable of playing in the front row. It applies to all games, not just League games.

 

Receiving expenses - Hopefully the Home team will give you your expense money with the team list. If not, ask the Home club for the amount due. This will depend on the level of the game.

 

Inspecting equipment - Check all players and replacements of each team for safe boots. Check that knee braces have no metal hinges or buckles. Check that headgear has the IRB stamp. Spot check shoulder padding for IRB stamp.

 

Touch Judges - Ask each Captain to appoint a touch judge.

 

Kicking Off - Give each team.5 minutes and 2 minutes warning of kick-off. Kick off on time.

 

Keeping records - During the game, note all scores. Note the names of all players who are sent off or sent to the Sin Bin together with the reason for their dismissal.

After the game - Record the result on the Game Report Sheet and sign the sheet. Note on the sheet the final score, any send offs, any Sin Bins plus any deficiencies with the ground.