In order to referee any 1st side game in the Met Union, you must obtain USA Rugby Level 1 certification.

The Next local clinic date will be sometime in the Summer months window.
But in the meantime check here for courses around the country. usarugby.org, then click 'Upcoming Events' on the left nav-bar.

• CIPP is the annual certification thru USARugby.
  ALL Referees must pay annual dues to be in good standing with the society, and be eligible to referee. The cycle is school-year: Sept 1-Aug 31. To sign-up and pay try here
• NASO is an OPTIONAL sign-up for RRSNY referees providing an extra 1-million dollars in liability coverage. Current cost is $86 per year out of game-fees. Contact the President for info

At minimum, you will need a whistle, a set of touch flags, a law book (for reference of course, not to be read or referred to during a game) and a jersey that does not match the clubs that are playing in your game. You should also have a pencil, spare whistle, watch, coin, paper/match data sheets, red and yellow cards.

At the Level 1 Clinic, you will be given a law book. The touch flags and other items mentioned above you will have to make and/or purchase yourself. RRSNY jerseys are available through our Quartermaster Jack Dibble. The Society colors are royal blue and red (and sometimes yellow). On occasion, these will clash with the teams and you will need a different jersey.

Appearance as a referee is VERY important. If you look good you will be treated with respect. If you look like a slob, you will be probably be treated as such! If you have to wear your club jersey, make sure it is clean! Socks should be pulled up, and jersey should be tucked in the shorts. It is OK for players to look a little ragged. It is NOT OK for referees. Remember, you will usually be the sole representative of our Society. Your appearance is vital in our being perceived as a professional unit.

• The USAR grading guide gives some insight as to what is expected by each grade of referee, and what any grade of referee can aspire to in moving up.
• The RRSNY assigns “local” grades from L4 down to L1 (old D, C3-C1). The individual referee progress is tied to the amount of effort they put in. If they do a lot of games and get regularly evaluated, they can progress steadily up the local grade scale.
  • The first grade is “L4” (new referee), and is achieved simply by passing the Level 1 officiating course.
  • L3 is next, and indicates that the referee is starting to do regular games and is no longer a 'newbie'.
  • L2 is the first marker of some refereeing proficiency, as several competencies must be demonstrated.
  • An L1 referee is a referee that is capable of handling any level match in the Met NY area, and will occasionally be appointed to territorial matches.
    • Passing the TJ/AR course is required.
    • RRSNY requires 2-3 above grade reports for this promotion (depending on from whom). Also at least one report must be from an out of LAU assessor.
    • Passing the Level 2 referee course is strongly recommended.
• Territorial grades. The next step after L1 is 'T' (formerly B1,2,3) These are veteran referees who can ref comfortably at the regional level and will be in consideration for USA appointments at the national level up to about the national round of eight.
  • USAR rules require 3 above grade assessments over 2 seasons, with no below grade reports during that time.
  • at least 2 of those must be out of territory matches. (I think 1 of those can be in territory if assessed by a National Assessor).
  • All 3 must be full 80 minute matches (or 70m HS). 1 can be a shorter TNT match if assessed by a National Assessor.
  • This must be by done by a Territorial evaluator or higher.
  • The territorial chair determines who to promote to the 'T' panel, who to recommend for 'ND' or 'FG', and also who to return to local 'L1'.
  • The Level 2 referee course certification is also required.
• Director's grade: A grade of 'Dir' will be awarded to referees at L1 level (or higher) who after years of service to the game and the society, are no longer seeking competitive evaluation and promotion, but still referee the game at a very solid level.
• Referees who regularly referee will occasionally be evaluated by a local evaluator who will write a report of the match, and grade the referee. This grade is ONLY for that match on that day. Periodically the evaluation chair will consult with senior referees and use recent evaluations to promote referees within Local grades.
• National grades:
  • 'A' - Also known as 'Elite Panel' or A1. These 2-5 referees are put forth by the USA to referee various internationals.
  • 'NP' - Also known as National Panel (and in some countries 'A2'). These are the top referees in the country refereeing Rugby Super League, National playoffs, and occasionally touch judging IRB events.
  • 'ND' - The National Director's Panel was established for former FG or NP referees who are no longer being considered for promotion to 'A', but who may still be called on to do RSL or equivalent games. Some countries meld this with the other 'A2' referees, or call it 'A3' with the FG called 'A4'.
  • 'FG' - 'Focus Group' referees called 'Development Panel' or 'A3/A4' in some countries. The stepping stone from 'T' to higher. A ref appointed here is given a sampling of the 'NP' opportunities for 1-2 years as a testing ground for promotion.
    • T referees who demonstrate promise at regional appointments will be given National opportunities (like the College NCS 16/8)
    • Promotion from 'T' to 'FG': Impress the National selectors there, and turn in an 11.8 or higher on the bleep test (preferably over 12, but 11.8 can fly if you turn in a sub 5.35 40m dash).
    • Referees at this level will be invited to take the Level 3 referee course.

• Make sure when you are contacted by the Home team you confirm a cell-phone contact for game-day, Jersey colors, field directions, and KO time.
  • If you are NOT CONTACTED by the evening of 4 days prior (Tuesday for Sat matches) you must contact the RRSNY match secretary for reappointment. Do not 'give the team a break' as far as contacting referees.
• Make sure your kit is washed and pressed, and boots clean.
• Don't forget to watch some rugby during the week, to help you visualize what you will be doing during the match.

Harley Griffiths is the society Quartermaster. Please contact him, and he can provide jerseys, polos (for casual and 7s), shorts, and socks.
Any ref who does 10 or more games over two seasons will be eligible for free kit, as with the gold Akuma kit in Fall '09.

This document should answer this question! Touch Judge Checklist

• Eligibility - All
• CIPP
  • If intending to referee, students must be CIPP registered. It is the individual’s responsibility to register with USA Rugby as forms will not be available at the course.
  • Registration may be done on-line at www.usarugby.org.
  • These currently still includes an additional Referee & Laws registration that is free but you MUST click the box to add this.
• Course description
  • The Level 1 Referee Course is the basic course. It covers the referee’s priorities, provides an introduction to the Laws, and examines scrums, ruck/mauls, tackles, line-outs, offside, and advantage with focus on the critical parts and how to referee them. When a student has completed this course, and the accompanying test, they are ready to begin refereeing safely. This is just the first step in a referee’s education, but it is the necessary beginning.
  • The course does not go through the Laws page by page. That is left for the student to do with the in class open-book test. The test is contains 45 questions, several of which are designated as “safety related”. To pass the student must get all of the “safety” questions correct and an overall score of 80 %. The test must be completed at the end of the course and submitted to the instructor/proctor. Students who do not pass first time will be given the opportunity to retake the test.
  • Students will receive a Law Book, whistle and a Course Manual upon arrival.
  • The course takes about seven to eight hours to complete and is conducted mostly in the classroom. About two or so hours are 'practical' and will be done either outside, or in a gym. You will not require paper as the course manual has sufficient blank spaces for note-taking, but you will need a pen or pencil to write with.
• Fees
  • The cost of the course is $50 which goes directly to USA Rugby.
  • The cost to run the clinic is covered by the RRSNY.

• Eligibility - Students must have passed the Level 1 referee course. Also 1 year of fulltime refereeing or a grade of L3 or permission from the instructor.
• Course description
  • The level 2 course is the intermediate course. It is designed for full-time referees looking to make L1 and possibly the T-panel. The course is an in-depth analysis of all phases of the game, as well as fitness, preparation, and game management.
  • Upon completion of the course material, the student takes a 'closed-book' examination in class, on which 80% is required to pass.
  • The course takes two days to complete, and will take most of a weekend.
  • As of 2009, this course has a 'postmortem' evaluation period, which requires the candidate to get looked at by a referee coach to assess their progress. This can be scheduled with your Local society
• Fees
  • The cost of the course is $100 which goes directly to USA Rugby.
  • The cost to run the clinic is covered by the RRSNY.
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• The Touch Judge course (formerly Level 1 Touch Judge) is intended both for club touch judges and all referees.
  • Prerequisites - Only some rugby experience. The Level 1 referee course is NOT a requirement.
  • The laws regarding touch and kicks at goal are covered in-depth.
  • Cost $25 to USA Rugby Time about 4 hrs
• The Assistant Referee course (formerly Level 2/3 Touch Judge) is intended for certified referees and is a prerequisite to maintain a grade of L2 or higher.
  • Prerequisite - Level 1 referee and Touch Judge course certifications.
  • This course covers more advanced usage of the touch-judges in a 'Team-of-Three'.
  • Main topics are foul-play, and communication protocols.
  • Cost $25 to USA Rugby Time about 4 hrs
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• Eligibility - By invitation only. Students must have passed the Level 2 referee course and hold a grade of T or higher. Passing this course is a requirement for all National grades
• Course description
  • The level 3 course is the advanced course. It is designed for National level referees looking to share information, and calibrate standards. The course is run as a group seminar, in which an IRB facilitator leads the referees in a discussion of all important aspects of their craft.
  • The course is run once a year by USAR if there are enough students. It takes two full days to complete, and will usually require air travel.
• Fees
  • The cost of the course is $150 which goes directly to USA Rugby.
  • RRSNY will cover the clinic costs, airfare, and hotel of any candidate invited to take the Level 3 course, although meals are not covered.
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• Disambiguation - This is the course for learning to provide coaching to Referees, not to be confused with the 'coaches course' for coaching players.
• Eligibility - Current or former referee who has passed the Level 2 course.
• Course description
  • The purpose of this course is to introduce the concept and role of referee coaching to enable assistance and guidance to develop the referee.
  • Can be completed in one day.
• Fees
  • The cost of the course is $50 which goes directly to USA Rugby.
  • RRSNY will cover the clinic costs and travel expenses of any referee who takes this course and then enters a coaching role with the society.