There are a whole host of reasons why you might take up the whistle: to remain active in the sport following injury or retirement, to make new and lasting friends within the game, or to gain a sense of achievement by providing an invaluable service to players, coaches and spectators alike. Whatever the reason, refereeing is challenging, rewarding and above all, can be great fun.

It’s easy to become a referee and start refereeing!

Referees

Surrey Referee Group meetings in September 2025

Topics for discussion :-

Law Changes for Season 2025-26

Next meetings :-

Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at Old Whitgiftians RFC
Wednesday 10th September 2025 at Chobham RFC
Wednesday 17th September 2025 at Old Wimbledonians RFC
Tuesday 24th September 2025 at Dorking RFC

All meetings 7.30pm for 7.45pm start.

Meetings are open to referees, coaches, players & parents

Why become a referee

Learn the Laws and become a better player
Experience new Opportunities
Learn new Skills
Stay Involved in the game

Surrey referee priorities

Increase the standard and numbers of club referees across Surrey
Support our club referees to join the london referees society
Recruit & Retain Young Match Officials (YMOs) across our clubs to grow and sustain the future of our game
Recruit and develop more Female referees to support the growth of the game and home world up launch pad
Support referee development of the 7s game

What to do next

The first step is to attend one of the courses listed below, and you’re on your way. The minimum age to become a Rugby Union Referee is 14.

If you wish to start refereeing U8 to U12 you need to attend an RFU course called: Level 1 – Refereeing Children. This course is designed to provide new referees with the core skills to be able to referee rugby union safely and confidently. It takes 3 hours and is a mixture of practical and classroom based activities.
If you wish to start refereeing U13 and above you need to attend an RFU course called: Level 2 – Refereeing the 15-a-side game. This course is for new and developing referees wanting to referee the 15-a-side game and will equip delegates with the skills and confidence to do so effectively. It takes 12 hours and is a mixture of practical and classroom based activities.
Enrol on the London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees “Take Up the Whistle Referee Course”. The cost is £25 per person but this will be funded by Surrey Rugby.

Surrey Rugby committment to refereeing

Surrey Rugby are working alongside the RFU and London Society to ensure referee courses and top up CPD are available across the CB. We are committing to:

Support clubs to bring more youth referees into the game by running the introduction to referee course
Alongside the London Society we have committed to fund 100 Take Up The Whistle courses each season
We are supporting youths as they develop into referees by providing mentors and referee opportunities and will sponsor selected youths to complete the YMO ERRA course
We will work alongside the RFU to ensure more ERRA courses are available across the county
We will ensure appropriate and relevant referee CPD sessions on specific themes are delivered throughout the season

Young Male and Young Female Referee Development

Surrey Rugby have recruited two volunteers to be responsible for the development of all our young male and female referees. Link to contact them here: