Referees October Update

Hi everyone,

Sorry it's so late in the month, but here is October's update for you all … better late than never!

A summary of events - further details found below:

2012 ETA Referees Survey
Oxford Bonfire Night - 3^rd November 2012
ETA AGM - 4^th November 2012
Benidorm Tournament - 23^rd November 2012

2013:

Manchester Tournament - 23^rd February 2013
England Nationals - 23^rd & 24^th March 2013
Pendine Sands Tournament(Wales) - 24^th & 25^th August 2013

England Touch Association - 2012 Referee's Survey for completion:

England Touch has put together a Referee's survey, that I'd encourage as many of you as possible to complete. If you attended any of the ETA events (in particular, the England Nationals, any CTS or NTS event, or the Euro's), please do take the time to complete this survey.

Our sport is growing and the referees need to grow, expand and develop as well. To ensure we do so correctly, this is your chance to have a say. Everyone is welcome to complete this survey, whether you've been an active referee in 2012 or not.

To complete the survey, please click here.

If you have other feedback, comments, suggestions, questions or queries, you are always more than welcome to get in touch with Shelley@englandtouch.org.uk or refs@englandtouch.org.uk

England Touch Association - Annual General Meeting:

Date - Sunday 4th November 2013
Venue - Gosford All Blacks RFC Stratfield Brake, Freize Way, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1UP
Time - 12 noon

Referees and players are welcome to attend, but should notify their intention to do so in advance by emailing Jules@englandtouch.org.uk. Referees and players will not be eligible to vote.

For further details on the coming AGM please check the ETA website: http://www.englandtouch.org.uk/index.php/2012/10/2012-annual-general-meeting/

If there is anything that you would like to raise or discuss in the AGM or the OGM, please e-mail Julie Walker on Jules@englandtouch.org.uk or Shelley Grace on Shelley@englandtouch.org.uk .

Referee Kit:

England Touch have elected to use the Touch Europe Referee Kit (blue and gold), as our ON-FIELD referee uniform. This will be used at ALL England Touch events in 2013.

Our socks have finally arrived - yay! Order are currently being sent out, however they will not be distributed until fully paid for. If you haven't received an invoice for your order, please let me know and I'll send it across to you for prompt payment.

If you haven't received your order in the next week please let me know urgently and I'll get this sorted with you.

England Touch also now holds some spare Touch Europe Referee Kit (blue and gold) so if you missed out on ordering, and would like your own, please get in touch. Email - refs@englandtouch.org.uk

Referee Courses:

We are planning to start running Level 1 courses over the Autumn and Winter to prepare for 2013 - watch this space for dates.

Save the date … Forthcoming 2012 Tournaments and Touch Events

Join in the fun and get yourself along to some of these great events below!

Bonfire Touch Tournament - Saturday 3^rd November 2012

Oxford is putting on their annual Bonfire Touch Tournament and would appreciate any referees making themselves available for this event. Always lots of fun - come and join in!

Details:

Date - Saturday 3rd November 2012
Venue - Gosford All Blacks RFC, Stratfield Brake, Freize Way, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1UP
Time - 9:00am
Format - Mixed
Website - http://www.englandtouch.org.uk/oxford
Contact - bonfire@oxfordtouchrugby.co.uk or refs@englandtouch.org.uk

2^nd Benidorm Touch Tournament - Saturday 24^th November 2012

This year a group of referees are actually going to enter a team to PLAY. Yes, you read that correctly, a group of referees are entering a team to play in this tournament, and we are leaving our whistles behind. If you would like a trip down memory lane to remember what it's like to actually play instead of ref all the time, then this trip is for you!

If you fancy a winter weekend break to Spain, and having a run whilst trying to catch a ball rather than trying to find your whistle, then jump on board!

The more the merrier and we are especially looking for female players.

Details:

Date - Saturday 24th November 2013
Venue - Benidorm, Spain
Format - Mixed
Contact - Kevin Hobbs on kevinhobbs@pontypriddauctions.com or refs@englandtouch.org.uk

For more information on this event, please contact Kevin Hobbs in the first instance, check the facebook event for this tournament or please email me (contact details above).

Save the date … 2013 Tournaments already announced:

4^th Annual Manchester Touch Tournament - Saturday 23^rd February 2013

Due to popular demand, Manchester are hosting their 4th Annual Touch Tournament.

Details:

Date - Saturday 23rd February 2013
Venue - William Hulme Grammer School, Manchester, Springbridge Road, Manchester, M16 8PR
Time - 9:30am - 5:00pm
Format - Men's, Women's and Social Mixed
Website - http://www.englandtouch.org.uk/manchester
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/FullyChargedEvents
Twitter - https://twitter.com/FullyCharged_UK

Please get in touch with Shelley (refs@englandtouch.org.uk) or Gregg (fullychargedevents@hotmail.co.uk) to register your interest to referee or for further information.

2^nd Annual England Touch Nationals - Saturday 23^rdand Sunday 24^th March 2013

7 regional men's and women's teams will again compete in the 2013 England Nationals Tournament, alongside a North v South Seniors division.

With plenty of advanced notice - please leave the weekend of the 23^rd and 24^th March 2013 free for this event. I can't promise it won't rain (like it did last year) but it'll be a great weekend of Touch and a great way to kick start the 2013 season. I'm hopeful that we will also have at least one referee coach present at this event.

Details:

Date - Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March 2013 (** this is a two day event **)
Format - Men's, Women's and Seniors (North v South)
Timing - 40 minute games

Please get in touch with Shelley (refs@englandtouch.org.uk) to register your interest to referee as we'll be looking for as many referees as possible for this weekend. Further information will be made available as it is confirmed by England Touch.

Looking forward to 2013 …

The ETA is a volunteer based organisation and are always looking for new people to come on board and help out. The referee section is no different. If you are able to help out in any way please let me know as we'd love to have you on board. Many hands make light work remember!

The Referee section is looking for people to help with the co-ordination and running of: