Referee Courses
At England Rugby we have a wide range of Match Official courses, whether you’ve never picked up the whistle before or you have years of experience.
Putting you, the referee, at the centre of our courses is important to us, and being able to participate in the offer which is right for you is key. Find out more about our three courses below.
Book a place using the GMS Course Finder.
COMING SOON
Ready2Ref: Your First Step into Refereeing Rugby Union
Whether you're a player, coach, parent or passionate fan, Ready2Ref is the perfect way to start your journey as a rugby union match official. This entry-level course is designed to be accessible, practical, and tailored to prepare you for real match environments.
The course blends online learning with a practical, in-person training day, helping you build confidence in areas like safety, communication, the set-piece, and the laws of the game. E-learning modules cover topics including the tackle and breakdown, scrum, space management, and effective communication - all at your own pace.
Once you've completed the online learning and practical session, you'll be ready to referee across age grades, formats like 7s and 10s, and community-level games.
After qualifying, we encourage all new referees to join their local referee society for further support, development, and game appointments. You can find more about that here.
Get involved, give it a go, and get Ready2Ref!
To find your local Ready2Ref course, visit GMS Course Finder to get started. Looking to a host a course? Head over to our Recruiting Match Officials page on England Rugby.com to find out how to get more officials in your environment.
The England Rugby Advanced Match Official Award (AMOA) is a competency-based course that uses practical observations and group networking sessions.
The programme is for active match officials who have completed the England Rugby Referee Award (or equivalent) to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of officiating rugby union. The course will develop individual through four main components: Level 3 Match Officiating qualification, sport science, practical Officiating and supporting others.
The AMOA runs from September to May and applications are open to any member of a refereeing society who has completed the ERRA or L2 equivalent. Applications can be made by following the procedure detailed in the Considerations, Criteria & How to Apply document below.
Applications open 9am on Tuesday 6th May, and will close at 5pm on Monday 2nd June. Please ensure that you have read all the below documents to ensure that your application is complete upon submission.
