Welcome to

Durham County Referees' Society

Founded in 1895

Return to Rugby – but not as we know it !

The Rugby Football Union can confirm the Government has approved a return to 15-a-side contact rugby, with some adaptations.

No scrums or mauls
Where the game would restart with a scrum, this will be replaced with a free kick
A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout.

Return to play – Society Meeting

A zoom Training and Development meeting to explain the Law variations to those who are prepared and able to officiate will be held on Thursday 17th December 2020

In the mean time you may find the information through the links below useful

Law variations with video explanation

Society Training Meetings.

The Society held a a successful Training Meeting using the zoom platform. The meeting featured Durham Society old boy and Premiership Referee Andrew Jackson being interviewed by the Training and Development manager John Heselwood who asked questions provided by the society members.

Clusters – subject to change

With any hope of a normal league season written off, the RFU have organised a system of local cluster leagues to play once the return2rugby is given the go ahead. Even these may be affected by Covid-19 Tier travel restrictions
Cluster information

Jim Fox retires from re-appointments role

Jim Fox and Edna! have decided it is time to step down from probably the most demanding role in the society. Jim has been the re-appointments Secretary for over 20 years having previously held the position of Sunday and Midweek Appointments Secretary.

Society Membership

Due to the Corona Virus disruption to the 2020-2021 season it has been agreed by the Board of Directors that the 2019-2020 membership will be extended by 1 year until the 31st August 2021

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)

All referees are encouraged to ensure they have had A DBS Check. It is an essential requirement for anyone that is to be involved in officiating an Age Grade game

RFU Webinars

RFU Webinar Programme details
Coaching & Referee Webinar - Tuesday 9th June – 7pm
It's here Scrum Week
Refereeing the Scrum with Wayne Barnes and Matthew Carley

updated June 4, 2020

World Rugby Considers Corona Virus Measures

World Rugby's executive committee will consider recommendations this week that could help significantly reduce the risk of coronavirus in the sport.

updated May 26, 2020

AGM – 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, that meeting will no longer be held, but the AGM will be held using email so that we are ready for next season.

updated May 23, 2020

Minor Law Change

World Rugby has announced that, with immediate effect, it will no longer be possible to score a try by grounding the ball against the post protector

updated May 19, 2020

Grading List May 2020

Grading Committee met virtually on the 7th May to consider the end of 2019-2020 referee gradings. Thanks to the hard efforts of the small band of MOD's there was a total of 152 reports to consider including 29 from out of County exchanges