Click here for a list of referee contacts. You will need a password. Contact Amanda Giles

Could all referees ensure the referee coordinator has your up-to-date contact details.  This will ensure the competition runs smoothly and that you receive your referee cheque at the end the season.

Eddie's email address is refs@bendigotouchfooty.com.au or Ph:

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Expectations and Responsibilities of Referees

General

1.            Ensure that the Ref coordinator has your correct personal details.

2.            Maintain discipline in the game and a sense of fair play.  Please don’t allow mouthing off, swearing or verbal abuse from players. Players should not communicate with the Ref during the game.  Any communication should come via the captain.

3.            Ensure first aid is provided to players. Stop the game if necessary.

4.            Report all injuries, incidents and discipline matters on the game sheet. Bring to the attention of whom it may concern ASAP.  For example; the 1^st aid office/Competition coordinator/Referee Coordinator, after the game.  This is essential for insurance purposes, record all injuries no matter how small.

5.            Remember that when your name is in Bold you are the Ref in charge and you have additional responsibilities..

6.            Referees are to wear referees shirts. Payment for these is 2 games Refereed (unpaid) the BTFA pays for the rest. You are more than welcome to return them when you have finished with them.

7.            The field Ref should look for their sideline refs signals as much as possible. This helps to reinsure players that you are getting forward passes etc. and gives the side line ref a sense of purpose.

8.            Refs should alternate after each try is scored, so that the field Ref marks the try.  This ensures accurate scoring.  If trys are  few and far between alternate on a turnover to ensure the flow of the game.

9.            Referees are to provide their own whistle for hygiene reasons – Mal Goldsworthy has some for sale.

10.        Refs will be paid by cheque at the end of each season. If you won’t be available to collect it next season please communicate with the Treasurer.

11.        It is expected (hence the payment of Referees) that Referees will attend “Referee training sessions, rules nights and badging clinics”.   If you are unable to please let the Ref Coordinator know in advance.

12.        Teams are responsible for filling their Ref commitments.  If your team is unable fulfill commitments within the team, please organize a swap.

13.        Teams / Referees need to organise their own replacements if unable to Ref.  Keep in mind that you will need to find a Ref with similar credentials to yourself. 

14.        Once a swap is organised or if you can not find a swap let the Ref coordinator know ASAP.

15.        Player Sanctions: The referee may choose to use any of the following sanctions

a.       A verbal warning

b.      Award a penalty tap.

c.       Captains Substitution – the ref suggests to the captain to sub a player to diffuse a situation.

d.      Period of exclusion time from the game.  Usually 5 minutes.  Must be reported in the game book.

e.       Sending Off which is an automatic 2 week suspension and tribunal which will determine any additional suspension time. Must be reported in the game book.

16.        Lastly, be kind to your fellow refs when you are the player!!  Lots of us a just new and giving it ago.

Expectations and Responsibilities of Referees Cont…

Before the Game

1.                  Please turn up 10 min prior to the game to begin officiating.  Clear communication and understanding between both Refs will help to maintain the flow of the game.

2.                  Attend Referee briefings.  These briefings are instead of training nights/days. Please attend them as this is where rules / issues are discussed. These dates will be on the web site.

3.                  Check all players are wearing Registration Tags or have filled in a new player registration in the game book before they take the field.  This is for your own benefit, the registration means players are insured.  It is a good idea to ask both teams if all their players are insured before the game commences.

4.                  Ensure teams have correctly filled in the Game Book before the game starts.  This ensures you are covered by Professional Indemnity insurance and the players by Player Accident insurance.

5.                  All games must start and finish on time, otherwise it is unfair to the following games. If we allow teams to get into bad habits now, as the competition grows it will be more difficult to break those habits.

6.                  Foremost the safety of players and Referees.  Refs must enforce Safety Rules.  You need to check teams before they take the field.

a.       No jewellery, sunglasses, screw in studs in boots

b.      Shoes must be worn by all players

c.       Blood rule – players must go off the field until injury is deemed safe

d.      No unduly rough play. When making a touch player speed needs to be reduced and gentle contact with a bent arm.

e.       It is the referees responsibility to check the fields before the game commences and remove any object that may cause injury.

7.                  If playing fields are too dangerous the referee can call off the game. 

8.                  Please take a game ball and match book to your ground.  Please return both the ball and book back to the Refs table.

9.                  Referees are to ensure that teams fill out the game book.  Please don’t sign it until it is correct.  The result, the winners name, the duty team, injuries/incidents and the refs names (to ensure payment) are to be marked clearly on the score card.

10.              Though we are affiliated with NTRA, we play under the NTA rules.  Rule books are available via our website or you may request one from the Competition coordinator.

Head Ref Responsibilites

1        Make sure lights are turned on before games commence.

2        Ensure playing conditions are safe and if not inform other refs.

3        Check that all games have at least one Ref and if necessary find a replacement or redistribute refs.        
Expectations and Responsibilities of Referees Cont…

Sideline Referees responsibilities during the game

1.                  As a side referee communication during the games to field referee is via Hand signals (no verbal or whistle communication allowed). These hand signals are:

a.       All Clear – Closed fist, arm straight out, at 90^o from side of the body.  Use the arm closest to the nearest try line.

b.      Error – Bent arm across front of chest, with closed fist in front of opposite shoulder. Use the arm closest to the nearest try line.

2.                  Keep in line with the Ball so you can mark the next play and clearly see infringements.

3.                  Indicate mark (where the ball is to be played).

4.                  Mark out 10m when a penalty is given.

5.                  Lookout for forward passes and signal Error – as above.

6.                  Lookout for touch passes and signal Error – as above.

7.                  Confirm touchdowns with either All Clear or Error.

8.                  Help field Ref (if you can) with any discretions and discipline matters.

9.                  Know all Referee signals, so that you know what the field Ref is indicating and to be able to clarify your error signal to the field Ref.

10.              Maintain clear sideline.  Keep spectators, players and baggage clear for you to run along the side line and for player safety.

11.              Mark score in game books.

12.              Ask as many questions as possible.  All Refs have their own style, but should follow the rules and guidelines. If there is any conflict or confusion please see the Ref Coordinator to clarify ASAP. Don’t be dis-heartened if the field Ref doesn’t look to you for signals.  Often they are not used to having a side ref.

Ref Kit

Your Ref kit is distributed by the Ref coordinator.  Your contribution to the payement of the kit is.

Option 1: The first two games Refereed purchase your ref uniform.

Option 2: The first three games Refereed by you purchase your shirt & whistle.

Please let the Ref Coordinator know your preference.