Welcome to West Refs - the Home of the West of Scotland Referees Society
Rugby Refereeing Everyone is Welcome :-)
Whether you are a budding or seasoned referee, club official or just curious about how, what and even why people stand in what can be a muddy, sometimes freezing muddy field - welcome to our world.
A key mantra of rugby is that without the referee, there is no game, but 'picking up the whistle' is not about the referee; we are here to facilitate the game. Our aim is always to ensure that players and supporters enjoy the game, win, lose or draw.
Many of us are former players. Others are budding international referees of the future. Above all, we are a diverse, inclusive and welcoming bunch, and there is a place for everyone on the referee team.
Behind the referees is a team of coaches; regardless of experience or aspiration, all referees are coached throughout the season, and finally, there is a team of volunteers keeping the West Refs 'machine' on the road.
2024/2025 West Refs Meetings
Throughout the season, meetings for coaches and refs take place at Scotstoun. A coach's meeting typically precedes a general ref meeting and coaching session.
The meetings are a chance to keep up to date with news, any law guidance updates and, above all, to catch up with fellow refs to discuss a game and decisions and share experiences.
Venue: Scotstoun Sports Campus, 112 Danes Dr, Glasgow G14 9HD - all meetings start at 19.00
The schedule for the 2024/2025 season is ;
Join us and Become Referee
If you are thinking about becoming a rugby referee in West Central Scotland, we are here to help and welcome you!
Regardless of your background our team will help you to be the best you can be as a referee and for those with the ambition and ability, the sky really is the limit (one of our members went on to be a full time international referee!)
No matter what your experience, you will get a friendly welcome at WRRS. The Society, through the SRU, provide kit and more importantly a well-established ref coaching programme.
So whether you are a retiring player, an ambitious youngster, male or female we welcome everyone and will do our level best to ensure that you have a rewarding time helping 30 players to enjoy their game safely.
Go on, you know you want to give it a try!
Emergency' Allocations Contact Number
Referee Use Only 07749 030108
Email wrrs.allocations@gmail.com
If a game is called, or if a referee finds themselves unable to attend their allocated game, refs please call this number; it helps us to ensure our ref resources are used effectively.
20th November
Our Latest WRRS Annual Dinner and Awards April 2024
We were delighted to welcome Wayne Barnes as our guest speaker at our annual dinner and awards ceremony, which took place at Hughenden, the home of Hillhead Jordanhill Rugby Club. Wayne entertained a packed room with a speech that was both amusing and thought-provoking as we followed his journey from society referee to World Cup referee—thank you, Wayne!
On the night, we also recognised our season award winners.
A selection of photographs of the evening courtesy of photographer Maciej Wierzchowiak - www.maciekphoto.com
16th August
Protocols for Match Officials
The following protocols have been drawn up by Scottish Rugby to ensure that rugby in Scotland receives the best service possible from Match Officials at all levels.
Each Match Official agrees that:
- They will contact the home club at least 48 hours before the match should the Referees Secretary of that club fail to make contact.
- They will make every effort to conform to the Laws of the Game, approved Law Variations, current guidelines and protocols.
- They will be physically prepared to act as a Match Official. If there is any doubt, they should not undertake any such appointments until they have fully recovered.
- If verbal abuse or other misconduct from a coach or other club official is such that it would have resulted in a red card had it occurred on the field of play, the referee shall formally caution the individual and require them to leave the Playing Enclosure. This should be done without brandishing a card. The referee shall then submit a report to the Scottish Rugby/ Society Discipline Manager using whostheref.com. The Discipline Manager shall consider any such report and refer it to a Disciplinary Committee as appropriate. In all other cases i.e. where the referee considers the conduct to be abusive but not equivalent to a red card offence, the referee shall record the details of the incident and report it to the Referee Society Discipline Manager or their nominated deputy.
Championship Matches:
- They will enter details on whostheref.com website of the score, yellow and red card forms within 48 hours of completion of the match.
- They will conduct themselves in an orderly and respectable manner, and they will maintain a tidy appearance while representing Scottish Rugby and/or their Referee Society.
- They will make every effort to attend post-match functions.
- They will keep the Scottish Rugby Match Official Department and their Referee Society regularly informed of any changes to their personal contact details.
- They will not engage in conduct, behaviour or practices which may bring Scottish Rugby or the game of rugby football into disreputeParagraph