Oxfordshire Society of Rugby Football Referees

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A few midweek appointments means a sneak peek at a couple of weekend appointments as well. @ourfc_blues and @ourfcwomen will be out for the Major Stanley memorial Varsity matches.

A few Vets outings this week for @banburyrugbyclub @grove_rugby @witneyrfc_official and @wearesilverbacks
Also getting a midweek runout, @oburfcmen and @oburfcwomen

Early weekend appointments see @chinnorrfcthame II take on Richmond Saxons, while a couple of our refs will be in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire on exchange.

Check back in for the rest of the weekend appointments.

Weekend appointments are out - with possibly (hopefully) only the odd wee tweak to make along the way.

We welcome 3 referees on exchange from neighbouring @bucksrfurs - Chris, Simon and Eamon. @grove_rugby, @chinnorrfcthame and @harwellrufc - please extend a warm welcome.

All the best to those out in the middle this weekend - here’s hoping for more settled conditions than last weekend.

@wallingfordwomensrugby @abingdonwomensrfc @oxfordquins @witneyrfc_official @henleyhawks @wearesilverbacks Men & Women @banbury_belles @banburyrugbyclub @wallingfordrfc @bicesterrufc @oxfordrfc @abingdonrufc @gosfordallblacks @wallingfordrfc @grove_rugby @ourfc_blues Greyhounds

#keepyourbootson #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee🏉

Much shorter for the midweek appointments this week. After the stormy weekend, with many of our fixtures cancelled, some pitches are still recovering.
Check back later for the weekend appointments.

#bepartoftheteam🌹 #keepyourbootson

We’ve had a busy time off the field this week. We had a really good turnout for training on the role of the assistant referee with @neilchivers86 hosted this time by @banburyrugbyclub. This is such an important role to understand - and for most of our games, we will be on our own in the middle. But what does it take to work well as a #teamof3 ?

Ultimately, it’s all about preparation and working with the referee in the middle to #bepartoftheteam🌹

We then got together for our Christmas Social @junkyardgolfclub Rocking the 90s #garage vibe and letting the competitive spirit out. With the early snow in Oxfordshire clearly setting us up for an early Christmas celebration, there were a good few Christmas jumpers on display as well.

Thanks to everyone who came and made it a memorable evening (recovery is ongoing 😉).

#keepyourbootson #clubforlonelypeople #rugbyreferee #fridaynightlights #garagegolf #leavethewhistleathome #refereesocials #assistantreferee #refereetraining #holeinone⛳️

Hot from our Training Meeting (more on that to come) are this weekend’s fixtures. We’ve had a busy week of it, so this is a brief post - just the facts!

Please welcome your referees warmly and remember they’re volunteers as well.
#refereesforrugby #bepartoftheteam🌹 #keepyourbootson

@oxfordshirerfu @bicesterrufc @chipping_norton_rfc @ourfc_blues @oxfordquins @witneyrfc_official @oxfordrfc @chinnorrfcthame @grove_rugby @wallingfordrfc @banburyrugbyclub @abingdonrufc @didcotrufc @witney_angels_rfc

It’s a busy week for society members this week as we have a training meeting on Thursday as well as midweek appointments and our Christmas Social is on Friday night!

Anyway, we’ll be putting out a Team of 3 for the @oburfcmen 1st XV, so a good opportunity for some fresh input to the training meeting, which is the role of the AR and the transition from Referee to AR.

@cityofoxfordcollege @wallingfordrfc Vets @wearesilverbacks Vets @oxfordshirerfu

#keepyourbootson #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee #teamofthree #To3 #VetsRugby

Next Training Meeting is Thursday 21st November at Banbury RFC.
Topic covers the transition from Referee to AR and working between the two roles. We welcome Neil Chivers, who as a member of the PGMOT (Professional Game Match Official Team) bring extensive experience in both roles, having refereed the Premiership Cup, the Women’s Premiership and at Championship level and has now added Assistant Referee at European Cup level.

Please note the date and note that this will be the last training meeting for 2024.

In 2025, we will start up again, looking to cover Referee reports (red cards, serious injury forms etc); Positioning; Advisor observations this season and the new Global law trials.

@neilchivers86 @rfu_refs

Plenty of Saturday appointments, and a quieter Sunday, so at least a few of our refs will be glad that the @englandrugby v @bokrugby kicks off later. #refsloverugbytoo

Back to the appointments: another exchange weekend with @somerrugbyrefs coming into county and 3 of our refs (Dan, Marc and @garethsheer) heading out.

@oxfordquins @grove_rugby @gosfordallblacks @chinnorrfcthame @ourfc_blues Greyhounds @witneyrfc_official @bicesterrufc @wallingfordrfc @abingdonrufc @wheatleyrufc @chipping_norton_rfc @wearesilverbacks @banburyrugbyclub @oxfordrfc @harwellrufc @didcotrufc

#keepyourbootson #rugbyreferees #bepartoftheteam🌹

Just a few midweek appointments, with more to come once we finalise the weekend matches.

@activaterugbyacademygirls @henleycollegegirlsrugby @banburyrugbyclub Vets @witneyrfc_official Vets @stedwardsoxford @oxfordshirerfu

#midweekrugby #keepyourbootson #vetscuprugby #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee

Next up in our “Meet the Ref” series is @pete.bramley. As current Chair of the Oxfordshire RFU, Pete also reports back on key issues affecting the Society as well as being an active referee, coach and advisor.

Having played rugby in the military representing his corp in Germany, he’s played Italy and has skippered Chicksand military base to win the Army minor units Cup.

As a civillian, he played for Pewsey before taking up the whistle around 15 years ago. As one of our top referees, Pete has been appointed to referee many County Cup and Shield finals and often represents Oxfordshire on exchanges - most recently to Cornwall.

Pete served as president of the Society for 3 years before taking up his current role as chairman of Oxfordshire RFU.

In addition to all this, he maintains an active role in supporting our developing referees as an advisor and coach.

Claim to Fame? He’s had Princess Diana in his bedroom! Swipe along to see the proof!

Please make him welcome next time (although don’t worry about offering lunches - he’s sent us way too many ‘free lunch’ pics the last few years!).

#meetthereferee #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyrefereelife #keepyourbootson #manyhats

@rfu_refs @oxfordshirerfu

Here are this weekend’s appointments. This week, we’d love to hear from you if your club has specific names for different teams. We know a few, so s/o to @didcotvalkyries @chinnor_kites and @oxfordrfc Nomads. We’d love to be able to use them in future posts, so do get in touch or leave a note in the comments.

In action this week: @mrf1812 and Henning Kaaber will be supporting the @ourfc_blues as well as being in the middle for @bicesterrufc v @chinnor III and @wallingfordrfc v Reading.

Meanwhile, we’ve managed to dig out some photos of @fatboy_ginge (Gareth Lewis) and @pete.bramley in the wild. Please tag us in any more with our referees in action.

@grove_rugby @gosfordallblacks @abingdonrufc @wheatleyrufc @witneyrfc_official @didcotrufc @wearesilverbacks @banburyrugbyclub @harwellrufc @oxfordquins @chipping_norton_rfc @wallingfordwomensrugby

#keepyourbootson #bepartoftheteam🌹 #matchofficialappointments #rugbyclubnames #takeupthewhistle

Midweek appointments are out with a few selections this week and refs will be covering schools, colleges and University games.

It’s a wee bit early to confirm some of the weekend appointments - as games can be cancelled last minute, but we’re almost there and it’s looking very strong for our coverage (fingers crossed!)

#keepyourbootson #bepartoftheteam🌹 #midweekmatchofficials #takeupthewhistle

@cityofoxfordcollege @stedwardsoxford @ourfc_blues Women*s @oburfcwomen @henleycollegerugby

A few shots of our match officials out this weekend working as teams of 3 to support @oxfordshirerfu County competitions.

We had #FridayNightLights at @oxfordquins v @chinnorrfcthame IV for @stuart.mount @zoew426 and Phil.

Paul @c0z135 @garethsheer and @nickdeacon took the Cup match between @oxfordrfc and @wheatleyrufc.

Sean @mrf1812 was assisted by a couple of @ourfc_blues referees’ society for the Greyhounds game.

#bepartoftheteam🌹 #keepyourbootson #teamof3

A much quieter week for many of our match officials, so we’re taking advantage of an early opportunity to get out some Teams of 3 and get some advisors out to give some feedback.

@vinceminto, @xyclark1 and @doug.haggart have switched from their @oxfordshirerfu County game to take charge of @wearesilverbacks (Faringdon) v @bicesterrufc IIs.

Taking charge for @oxfordquins III vs @ourfc_blues Whippets, @stuart.mount will stay in county this week with @zoew426 and Phil Ware running the support lines and @robbocross making notes.

Meanwhile, over at @oxfordrfc v @wheatleyrufc, @c0z135, @garethsheer and @nickdeacon will be advised by @andyh806.

For Sunday, it’s a big weekend of Women and Girls in rugby over at @gosfordallblacks, where they will have games from 1pm kicking off for the U14s, U16s, U18s and @gabrfc_women.

If your game is going ahead this weekend, remember to confirm the details with your referee teams early in the week - especially where you might need to ensure adequate changing facilities ;-). Go well those with games this weekend!

@grove_rugby @littlemore_rugby_club @banbury_belles @chinnorrfcthame @banburyrugbyclub @oxfordshirerfu @didcotminisjuniors

#keepyourbootson #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbymatchofficials #t03 #oxfordshirerfucountycomps #thisgirlcan #womeninrugby #girlsrugby

We held our October training last week for new/developing referees (L9 or below). Really useful to get some tips for game comms and prep from some of the Development Squad referees.

The Development Squad are working towards supporting the higher level community games as many of our more experienced referees are stepping back and moving into more advisory roles.

It was a busy session (shoutout to some solid recruiting) and a great opportunity to welcome our new refs. With the focus on referee development, this was all about managing our games - even down to pre-match team talks and routines.

Looking forward to November - with the spotlight on the role of the AR and transitioning between the roles.

#bepartoftheteam🌹 #keepyourbootson #takeupthewistle #newreferees #gamemanagement #rugbyreferees #newmatchofficials #successionplanning #managethepipeline #refereedevelopment

A quieter set of midweek fixtures with @oxfordquins hosting Bath and Gloucester U16s squads.

A peek at the #FridayNightLights game @ourfc_blues as they face an Ealing Trailfinders academy team with @pete.bramley and @c0z135 as assistant referees.

Go well, all - more to come.

@oburfcmen @gosfordallblacks @banburyrugbyclub @oxfordshirerfu @rfu_refs

#keepyourbootson #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferees #midweekmatches #youthrugby

We’ve had a few cancellations this week, which is always a shame for refs as well as the players, would you believe. Still, there’s plenty of action for our match officials this weekend.

Tonight’s #FridayNightLights games @ourfc_blues Men*s vs Harlequins A and the Greyhounds vs a touring Australian team, @stockmanrugby. We’ll be providing the ARs for the Blues game and the Ref for the Greyhounds.

Another exchange week as well - this time to neighbouring @dorsetwiltsrfu. We welcome Charles Bromley-Gardner to @witneyrfc_official; Dave Davies to @bicesterrufc and Damien Thursby to @abingdonrufc. In return, @garethsheer heads to Swindon; @stuart.mount goes to Melksham; and Dan Shotton takes charge in Trowbridge.

Go well everyone with games this weekend!
#keepyourbootson #seeitbeitrefit🌹 #rugbymatchofficials #bepartoftheteam🌹

Who’s your red this weekend?
@banburyrugbyclub @wearesilverbacks @abingdonrufc @wheatleyrufc @oxfordrfc @oxfordquins @wallingfordrfc @chinnorrfcthame @littlemore_rugby_club @harwellrufc

Welcome back!
Just a brief midweek set of appointments for now with a @ourfc_blues Women*s game for @gavallinson and @xyclark1 taking charge for @oburfcmen II and a Vets fixture for @gouldyer.

@oxfordshirerfu @cityofoxfordcollege @oxfordquins @wallingfordrfc @uobathrugby @rfu_refs

#bepartoftheteam🌹 #keepyourbootson #rugbyreferee #midweekappointments

Meet @craigyj89 (Craig Johnson). Having spent 14ish years playing with his home club, Aberdare RFC in South Wales, shoulder surgery gave Craig the nudge to take up the whistle.

Having qualified in 2016, Craig is on track to complete his 200th appointment this season. As one of the Society’s Development Squad referees, he is currently working towards a promotion to the Federation at level 5.

Craig counts tours to South Africa, Italy and Spain during his playing days as some of his most memorable times in rugby. These days, though, he’s enjoying his weekend outings and not struggling to get up the stairs on a Sunday! (Just wait, Craig - those aches will come soon enough!)

Claim to Fame: Even as a proud Welshman, a couple of run outs at Twickenham for the Army v Navy fixture remains a highlight.

While his favourite tipple may be a Guinness, pre-match, Craig fuels up with coffee and Percy Pigs if you’d like to personalise his next visit to your club!

@rfu_refs @oxfordshirerfu #seeitbeitrefit #bepartoftheteam #rugbyreferee #reflife #meetthereferee #rugbymatchofficial #rugbyreferee🏉

!!!CORRECTION!!!
Yesteryday’s post was incorrect for the @oxfordrfc Nomads game where @xyclark1 will be taking charge!
@rudidp will be in the middle for the @chinnor_kites game as originally posted.

Appointments is easy, right? Ya just pick from who’s available and work your way down the list of games, surely?

Nope!

It’s a moving feast trying juggle availability, match levels, development games, last-minute requests and - of course - injuries! Right up to the last minute (ok - maybe hour), they’ll be sending out messages and trying to find someone to cover your match. So - don’t forget to thank them and if you’ve got a ref this weekend, make sure you contact them to confirm the match and ensure they feel welcome when they arrive.

So - one of the additions for this weekend is a #FridayNightLights game for Jim Holmes covering @oburfcmen v @ourfc_blues Men*s Whippets.

@oxfordshirerfu @rfu_refs @chinnorrfcthame @chinnor_kites @oxfordquins @grove_rugby @bicesterrufc @bicestervixens @witneyrfc_official @witney_angels_rfc @didcotrufc @gosfordallblacks @chipping_norton_rfc @faringdonrugbyfrufc @harwellrufc @banburyrugbyclub @banbury_belles @oxfordrfc @abingdonwomensrfc @wallingfordrfc

#bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee #keepyourbootson #neverenoughreferees #confirmyourgameearly

Another busy week for our refs again, so we’ll follow up with a full weekend schedule later this week.

For now, the @aoc_sport Premier, Ace Girls and @bucssuperrugby provide most of the midweek action. @ourfc_blues Women*s first fixture of the season sees @nomthagawe in the middle.

Peeking at the Saturday fixtures, just the one out of county trip for @craigyj89 to Winchester.

Go well everyone - more to come!
@rfu_refs @oxfordshirerfu
#bepartoftheteam🌹 #reflife #rugbyreferee🏉 #keepyourbootson #midweekrugby

Continuing the appointments for this week, we have two more referees heading down to Cornwall.

At level 7, we exchange @c0z135 for Ben Crook-Sanders. Paul heads to the picturesque @stivesrugbyseniors.

At level 8, @stuart.mount heads to @veorrugbyclub and while Ryan Yeoman takes charge @oxfordrfc

Let’s hope that all our referees receive a warm welcome this weekend wherever they are (yes - we’ll be asking how @cornwallrfu compares! Thanks to @cornwallrugbyrefs as well - go well this weekend!

@rfu_refs
#bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee #refereeexchange #reflife🏉

It’s a busier week, so here are the first few of our appointments for this week.

Midweek sees a couple of @bucssuperrugby and @aoc_sport appointments as well as some more @oxfordshirerfu youth league and cup games for schools.

Also, an early peek at some of the weekend league action - we have a few exchanges with @cornwallrugbyrefs as @witneyrfc_official hosts Danny Robins while @pete.bramley heads down to @truro_rfc.

For more news and exchange updates, check back in later this week as there are more weekend exchanges to come.

@rfu_refs #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee

*Meet the Ref* - Stuart Mount

Stu played for Wallingford for 20 years, including 3 years as head coach before returning to play out his final years as a front row forward.

He picked up the whistle in 2020, so he’s doing his 5th season now, having started in earnest after the first Covid lockdown ended. He is working towards level 7 qualification this season as we need to ensure we have enough refs at all levels to cover all our games.

Memorable Moments: 2 County Shield and 5 league wins were some of the highlights of his playing career.

Stu always speaks up at training, particularly when it comes to scrum tactics and front row plays! However, his real contribution is that he sees every match as an opportunity to give back to the game that has given him so much - he’s an active member of the society and the County RFU.

Claim to Fame: Not just playing, but scoring at Twickenham in a North v South select match.

Feel free to buy him a nice ale next time you see him around!

@oxfordshirerfu @rfu_refs
#seeitbeitrefit🌹 #bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee #reflife🏉

Want to start your journey towards joining our family? Check out the Introduction to Refereeing course, there's one running on 3rd December 2024 at Witney Rugby Club. Book in through this link: https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgms.rfu.com%2FGMS%2FAccount%2FLogin%3Fqs%3D0tK57CORey5OJdt0itQbl8PWIgw1oiAWmN5Ob8U9D3sFJiId2njh9IsfiDrnTG2aErEU9%252bSuS11PVFJ%252bV3eQCy54ZD2u7m7FluUx1s99lx%252f%252fjAtyr1bJkFw%252fKtDeyyGZio5c0Clgo31IgT%252bMyuCOkI9m%252fQMZbp3Nbkco2ZejaeZOCaYk6Eig9oEAhckIiRaDSJYc80NH%252bEmCr3sI%252bi1Fhg%253d%253d&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cf05209e2edb94f0549f208dcd0ae9683%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638614695508521478%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=C3rXbY64ZLgELCNxS1Xyb1s5iKqKzDWYvn0F6Td2VlU%3D&reserved=0

UPDATE!
Final appointments (ish - it’s a bit of a juggling act for the appointments team) as we confirm the weekend’s referees with @gouldyer doing the Vets game @cnru_fc and John Evanson heading over to @oxfordquins for an U16 match.

Go well, all… and enjoy the break for those with a rest weekend - it’s getting busy! @oxfordshirerfu @rfu_refs

#bepartoftheteam🌹 #rugbyreferee #inspire #seeitbeitrefit🌹

It’s a quiet league weekend, so we have a few age grade games ok Saturday as well as a couple of Vets midweek league games.

Our aim is to try and cover all our appointments based on our referees’ availability.

If you’re a club in need of a ref, please make sure you put it into WhosTheRef and contact the ref as soon as you can to confirm or let them know if it’s cancelled. Go well to all those with matches this week!

@whostherefofficial @oxfordshirerfu

The weekend’s fixtures are out!
Thankfully, it’s another weekend where we’ve been able to cover every game as planned and ensure the games go ahead. Wishing all the best to those out in the middle this weekend! #norefnogame #bepartoftheteam🌹

In the first of a new series, we will be profiling a few of our referees.

Let us know what you think - too much information ❌ or great idea - let’s humanise the refs🌟?

First up: @kevincoyne07, who has been with the Society more than two decades. 24/25 will be Kev’s 21st season. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to the society as a committee member, coach and mentor as well as refereeing and running touch. You’ll often see him on the touch line @banburyrugbyclub where he may be supporting other refs, watching his granddaughter play or cheering the club on.

His service to rugby has been recognised by the Society as he received the President’s Award last season.

He rose to viral video fame when his insistence on finishing a game after injuring his ankle at a local match earned him millions of views on their Socials a few seasons ago. He took a while to recover, but continues to try and get out on the pitch when he can and hopes this season to ref his granddaughter!

As he’s normally driving, grab him a sandwich or a wee something to eat after the game if you want to get on his good side - he loves his food! 🍱 🥘 🍲

#meetthereferee
#seeitbeitrefit🌹
#inspire
#takeupthewhistle

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