Interested in becoming a referee? Passing a Level 1 refereeing course qualifies you to referee school and club rugby matches – as well as joining your local referee society.

You must complete the IRB Rugby Ready online assessment before attending a Level 1 course.

IRB RugbyReady online course

The Level 1 course is 6 hours in total and is mainly classroom based with some practical elements. The course is free but should you wish to referee for your local referee society, you will be asked to pay the annual subscription. All attendees will receive a Law Book, Law Variation Cards and course handouts.

After you've completed the course and passed the exam you are licensed to referee up to and including Regional League 2, Schools, and youth rugby

To register for a place on one of the scheduled courses, select the course of your choice from the list below and contact [email protected] before the registration closing date of your chosen course.

Consideration will be given to any requests by clubs to hold a course for their members at the club outside the dates of the scheduled course listed below – there will be a charge of £100 to run any course not on the planned schedule

National Level 1 Refereeing Course


All queries and registration to [email protected]



Stirling Management Centre at Stirling University

Sunday 20 July 2014 10am - 5pm Registration closing date is 17 July 2014
St Ambrose HS, Coatbridge

Saturday 2 August 2014 11.30am - 5.30pm Registration closing date is 30 July 2014
Mayfield Sports Centre, Dundee

Sunday 24 August 2014 10am - 5pm Registration closing date is 18 August 2014
Peebles High School

Sunday 31 August 2014 9am - 3.30pm Registration closing date is 25 August 2014
Nelson & Waddell Suite, BT Murrayfield Stadium

Sunday 7 September 2014 10am - 5pm Registration closing date is 1 September 2014

Referee societies

Local referee societies are independent bodies that work with Scottish Rugby to allocate referees to club and school matches across Scotland, up to and including the Scottish Rugby National Leagues. They are also responsible for the recruitment and development of referees within their local area.

Societies hold monthly meetings to combine skills and technical training and allow referees to meet each other, train together in a relaxed environment and keep up to date with the latest developments within the game. Many also have an excellent social side, organising annual dinners, golf days and other similar events.

There are six referee societies covering all parts of Scotland – to find your nearest one, contact [email protected]

Referee development managers
Colin Brett [email protected] 07971 605618
Bob Easton [email protected] 07764 178957
Andy Macpherson [email protected] 07764 772247

This article was originally posted on 21-Jul-2014, 10:17 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 21-Jul-2014, 11:24.