Referees update - March

Hello all,

There is a lot going on in the world of touch, especially as the spring season is just about to kick off in earnest.

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: Wednesday 4^th April 2012 – READING

Details:

Start - 7pm

Cost - £10

Venue - Berkshire County Sports Club, Sonning Lane , Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST ( Thames Valley Vikings' Home Ground).

Contact – refs@englandtouch.org.uk

Level 2: Sunday 15^th April 2012 – READING

Details:

Start – 8:30am arrive for 9am start (this is a full day course)

Cost - £30

Address - Berkshire County Sports Club, Sonning Lane , Sonning, Reading RG4 6ST ( Thames Valley Vikings' Home Ground).

Needed – Notebook, pen, gear to run around in and your whistle

More info – This course is the day after the CTS event. We’d like to encourage referees wanting to attend this event to also attend the CTS on the Saturday. Referee coaches will be present on Saturday to give coaching and feedback.

To register your interest in attending any of these courses, please let me know (refs@englandtouch.org.uk).

We also have a supply of Acme Thunderer 58.5 Whistles and wrist straps available for sale at courses, tournaments and by emailing me if you’d like one.

2012 Tournaments and Touch Events:

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 Challenge Touch Series (CTS) # 1 – Thames Valley – Saturday 14^th April

The first CTS of the season and it is going to be a good one. Get on board, come along for a great day out and show your support. Come to Reading to referee!

There will be two referee coaches present at this event so it will be a great opportunity to get some invaluable feedback and coaching from them no matter what your level.

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 mean time email me with any questions and to confirm your attendance. Refs@englandtouch.org.uk

England Touch Nationals Tournament

When - Saturday 21^th April and Sunday 22^nd April – 2 day event

Venue - Lilleshall

Time - 8am start Saturday morning

Divisions - Men's and Women's

Referee Coach present - Yes

Expenses – Please email for further info (however it will definitely include Saturday night accommodation, reduced rate for accommodation on Friday night if needed, and a contribution towards travel expenses).

More Info -

This is a two day tournament that is being used as the selection trials for the England National Team to compete at the European Touch Championships in September in Italy . Each of the newly formed regions within England will bring their men’s and women’s teams to compete against each other and to compete for a place in the Euro's squad.
Open to ALL referees
England Touch is looking to use this weekend as a prime development opportunity, and we have a dedicated referee coach attending this event.
The weekend will comprise of a referee training session both Saturday and Sunday morning before games commence. All games will be 40 minutes (2 twenty minute halves) with a half time break.
We are also planning a referee team dinner on the Saturday night.
Referees wanting to attend the Euro’s should make every effort to be available for this event.
To register your interest to referee, please let me know as it'll be a great way to start the season, get some good coaching and feedback as well as meet many other referees. Please contact: refs@englandtouch.org.uk, Shelley@englandtouch.org.uk

In2Touch Spring Season – referees wanted!

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

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

Venue - Richmond

Time - tba

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

Expenses - £50 for Saturday; £40 for Sunday (as less games) or £100 for both Saturday and Sunday

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=1013

To 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.com

If you have any queries or need any more information, please contact In2Touch on INFO@IN2TOUCH.COM

2012 NTS and CTS Dates and venues:

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 7^{th - Nottingham}

NTS and CTS Series FINALS

FINALS – July 28^th- Lilleshall

All referees are welcome to attend any of these 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 23^rd June (12noon) - Sunday 24^th June

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

Looking forward to an exciting and busy year with plenty of touch!

Shelley Grace

National Director of Referees

England Touch Association www.englandtouch.org.uk

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