Introduction

All active society members hold a grading level that corresponds to the league and cup competition structures defined by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England.

The referee’s level is used to guide the competitions that an individual is capable of officiating at. However, the society has the right to, and will, appoint referees to matches above (in certain circumstances) and below their graded levels, dependent on factors including:

• The progression path of the referee

  • It is common for a developing referee to be tested at a level higher than their current grading for assessment purposes

• The nature and circumstances of any individual match

  • It is common for a referee from a level above to officiate games with significant importance at a level below. For example, promotion play-offs, cup finals or local derbies

• Referee availability

A referee’s level is, ordinarily, the highest level at which they will referee. Dependent on the volume of fixtures and the future potential of a referee, they may frequently referee at a level lower than their grading.

For all levels up to and including level 7, regrading is managed by individual regions. This can take place on an ad-hoc basis as and when the individual regions see fit. It is for each region to decide whether a referee is competent for a higher level.

 The Match Official Development Committee (MODC) manages all promotions from level 7-6. The Committee will also monitor referees who are at level 7 for potential for promotion to level 6.

The Committee is responsible for nominating London referees for games at, and promotion to Level 5. Level 5 is managed by the L5 South East Match Official Team (SEMOT). The SEMOT is responsible for recommendation of referees to the RFU National League Match Official Team.

The MODC will meet twice during the season to discuss promotion of referees nominated by their region for Level 6. These meetings normally take place in December and in June.

 Evidence required for promotion varies based on the referee’s level, but will take the form of:

-          Coaching reports.

-          In-region and Inter-region assessments.

-          Society Exchange assessments

-          Fitness Assessments.

The table below provides an outline of the minimum criteria required for promotion to Levels 7 and 6. For the avoidance of doubt, an external society exchange is required for promotion to levels 7 and 6.

Other competitions and Level Grading

The RFU Levels pyramid outlined above covers most 1st XV (and at a county league level, 2nd XV and below) men’s league rugby. However, LSRFUR also appoints to a significant number of matches that fall outside of these classifications, including:

• Merit Table league and community rugby

• Women’s league and cup rugby

• School and Junior club rugby

• RFU and County Cup competitions

• Representative fixtures

In all scenarios, an appropriate level is assigned by the society (or RFU) to a fixture to guide the society’s appointments teams in appointing a suitable official.