Referee Training is Changing for 2025/26

From this season, the Ready 2 Ref course is replacing the Introduction to Rugby and England Rugby Referee Award courses and consists of a mix of pre-course eLearning, one day of face to face learning and post-course support. It is a great way to start the refereeing journey, introducing key concepts around safety, equity and enjoyment of refereeing.

Details on how to organise your own Ready 2 Ref course can be found here(opens in a new tab).

Covering all essential aspects of the game, candidates undertake both practical and self-directed learning to gain the skills and knowledge to begin officiating rugby in the Youth and Adult game.

If you’re a referee society planning a training programme in your area, a club looking to train more people to referee your adult or junior games, or a school, college or university looking to develop young people as referees, this course is for you.