Referees update – April

Hello all,

I hope that you all had a good Easter, enjoyed the days off and didn't over indulge too much in the chocolate stuff!

As always, there is a lot coming up on the touch scene, a lot for everyone to get involved in.

Summary of recent events:

* Level 1: Wednesday 4th April 2012 – READING

We had a good turn out at the Level 1 course with approximately 12 people attending. Thanks for Paul Farrington for running the course and to Sammie Phillips for all the organisation to make this happen.

* Level 2: Sunday 15th April 2012 – READING

We had 12 people attend the Level 2 course, which was fantastic. The day was well received by all and a big thank you to our presenters, Matthew Reid and Kevin Hobbs.

* 2012 Challenge Touch Series # 1 – READING – 14/4/2012

This was a great day of touch! Massive thank you to all the 14 referees (including 2 from Hungry) and the 2 referee coaches who were present. Nearly every game was triple refereed, there were no player referees needed and there were many new faces! Looking forward to seeing you all again at the next CTS event.

Next up, some things of interest for you all:

Referee Courses:

We are looking at holding referee courses in the following locations and we will keep you updated as new course dates are announced:

Level 1:

Level 1: PROPOSED - May 2012 – Bristol

Level 2:

Level 2: CONFIRMED - 6th May 2012 – Berlin, GERMANY

Level 2: CONFIRMED - 19th May 2012 – Verona, ITALY

Level 2: NOT YET CONFIRMED - 5th OR 12th May 2012 – Paris or Strasbourg, FRANCE

Level 2: NOT YET CONFIRMED - 22nd June – Brussels, BELGIUM

Level 2: NOT YET CONFIRMED - 15th August – Munich, GERMANY

Level 3:

Courses: - SCOTLAND, GERMANY & ENGLAND

For your information, the European Referee Panel is planning to deliver an additional two (on top of the course being held in Aberdeen in May) Level 3 referee courses this year. Both will be delivered by the European Director of Referees and members of the European Referee Panel.

The venues are now confirmed as:

Berlin, Germany on the 09-10 June 2012 and
Bristol, England on the 21-22 July 2012.

The level 3 course lasts for 1½ days and overnight accommodation is necessary. This cost, as well as cost of travel, is your responsibility. Accommodation suggestions will be communicated together with the confirmed dates and venue information.

Please register your interest if you wish to receive further information by using THIS LINK

Don't forget places are still available for the Aberdeen Level 3 (19-20 May 2012). You should contact the Scottish Referee Director Ray Martindale referees@scottishtouch.org.uk for more information.

Or, register your interest in attending any of these courses, by letting me know (refs@englandtouch.org.uk).

2012 Tournaments & Events requiring referees:

Touch referees are always in high demand and 2012 is looking to prove no different, so get involved, meet some new people, get fit and have fun.

2012 National Touch Series (NTS) # 1 – NOTTINGHAM – 12th May 2012:

The first NTS of the season and it is going to be a good one. Get on board and come and see some of the best touch teams battle it out to take the first NTS title and take the valuable points on offer. It'll be a great day out, so come and join our referee team and benefit from the presence of a referee coach! Come to Nottingham and referee!

As mentioned above, there will be a referee coach present at this event so it will be a great opportunity to get some invaluable feedback and coaching from him, no matter what your level* or how long you've been refereeing.

Let me know if you are able to attend – we’d love to see as many of you there as possible! Further details will be announced as they are confirmed by the organising committee.

* We are preferable looking for Level 2 referees and above to attend the NTS events. If you are a Level 1 wanting to attend, please let me know.

In the meantime email me with any questions and to confirm your attendance. Refs@englandtouch.org.uk

2012 Challenge Touch Series (CTS) # 2 – NEWCASTLE – 19th May 2012:

The second CTS of the season and this time we are headed to Newcastle. Get on board, come along for a great day out and show your support.

We are hopeful that we will have a referee coach present at this event, I will keep you posted.

Please can you let me know if you are able to attend – we’d love to see as many of you there as possible! Further details will be announced as they are confirmed by the organising committee.

In the meantime email me with any questions and to confirm your attendance. Refs@englandtouch.org.uk

In2Touch Spring Season – referees wanted!

As some of you may know, the 2012 Spring League (Season 2) gets underway from next week and In2Touch are on the lookout for referees at all their venues.

England League details:

Starts – End of April 2012 (week commencing Monday 23rd April)

As some of you may know, the 2012 Spring League (Season 2) gets underway very soon and In2Touch are on the lookout for referees at all their venues.

London League details:

Starts – End of April 2012

Venues – Various locations

When – Games are played Monday – Thursday evenings.

Divisions – Men’s, Women’s and Mixed – will vary depending on venue

Expenses – paid per game

More info: http://www.in2touch.com/uk/venues.php

To register your interest to referee during the 2012 Spring League (Season 2), please let Simon (simon@in2touch.com) at In2Touch know. Otherwise please contact: info@in2Touch.com, or mike@in2touch.com.

If you have any queries or need any more information, please contact In2Touch on info@in2Touch.com

In2Touch Hosted - London Champs

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May - 2 day competition

Saturday 26th May - Men's and Women's Open

Venue - Richmond

Time – TBA

Divisions - Men's, Women's and Social Mixed

Expenses - £50

Extras - Referees will receive - food, drink and a free ticket to the Rugby Rocks Festival

More info: http://www.in2touch.com/uk/news-story.php?news_item=1013To register your interest to referee at the In2Touch London Champs, please let Mike at In2Touch know. Please contact: info@in2touch.com, simon@in2touch.com or mike@in2touch.comIf you have any queries or need any more information, please contact In2Touch on info@in2touch.com

2012 - National Touch Series (NTS) and Challenge Touch Series (CTS)

2012 National Touch Series Dates:

NTS 1 – May 12th – Nottingham
NTS 2 – June 19th – Oxford
NTS 3 – June 30th – London
NTS 4 – July 14th – Bristol

2012 Challenge Touch Series Dates:

NTS 1 – April 14th – Thames Valley
NTS 2 – May 19th – Newcastle
NTS 3 – June 16th – Cambridge
NTS 4 – July 7th – Nottingham

NTS and CTS Series FINALS

FINALS – July 28th - Lilleshall

All referees are welcome to attend any of these events (Level 2 preferred for NTS events), we'd love to have as many of you as possible on board especially so early in the season.

We are planning on having referee coaches present at as many of the NTS and CTS events as possible.

24 Hour Charity Touch Game

Saturday 23rd 12 noon - Sunday 24th June – 24 hour Touch game

In conjunction with Oxford Touch and Gosford RFC, a 24 hour charity touch game is being organised. This will include an attempt at a Guiness World Record and YOU could be part of it!!!

This will be a great party and an opportunity to support Sport Relief.

Please keep an eye on the website (see below) as there will be an opportunity to enter yourself either as an individual or as a team of your friends to play. http://oxfordtouchrugby.co.uk/24hours

Fancy/themed dress is encouraged and you will be able to choose your playing or refereeing time slots. We are negotiating bar opening times and there will be a DJ in the clubhouse. So please bring your tent, set up camp on the grounds and get ready to play and party!!

Lance Rossiter is organising this and if anyone is available (ps - you don't have to ref the whole 24 hours :) ) could you mail him directly on lancerossiter@hotmail.co.uk

2012 European Touch Championships

Going to the 2012 European Touch Championships?

Register your interest to attend as a full time referee with the European Director of Referees here: RegistrationOtherwise drop me a line and let me know your interest - refs@englandtouch.org.uk

Looking forward to seeing you all at an event soon!

Shelley Grace

National Referee Director

England Touch Association

shelley@englandtouch.org.uk refs@englandtouch.org.uk www.englandtouch.org.uk