STEP 1) Referee's Report Availability and Communicate Season Goals

At the beginning of each season, it is up to referees to add their availability for the season (as best as they can anticipate) in Match Facts and to tell (email/text/phone) their local assignors their goals for the season. Referees should target completing these steps by the end of February for the Spring season and mid-August for the Fall season. They should update their availability as soon as their calendar changes to avoid assignment headaches later.

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 Example Goals:

• I am happy with local matches within 30 miles from my house. 

• I want to be coached more often so I can referee NIRA/D1A/ARP/WER/MLR/National levels. 

• I'd like to have some more competitive matches this season. 

• I would only like to do slower level matches since I am in my elder years

• I am new and need coaching to get better.

• I only want to AR this season. 

• I am coming off an injury, so please assign me slower matches fist; we will evaluate moving forward. 

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This is a critical step in the process since coaching, selections, etc. are factored in after goal conversations. 

 

STEP 2) NERRS Referee Grading + Evaluation of Potential
At the end of each major season, NERRS assignors, HP RDO, and President discuss each current referee’s ability as observed in written coaching reports to align each referee’s current ability to a level assigned in the National grading workbook.

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This system encompasses:

• Experience

• Commitment

• Fitness

• Positioning/Work Rate

• Law knowledge

• Game management

• Application of materiality (i.e. penalty count)

• Contextual judgement

• Ability to incorporate coaching feedback

• Development potential

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Though a referee may have a certain grade or ranking, limited availability in their schedule or in the number of games in New England may limit game options for them. If referees are proactive and consistently check all the boxes, like filling out disciplinary and match reports on time and keeping up-to-date availability, these factors can help support their assignment to higher level matches. 

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STEP 3) ANCRR Assignments

The NERRS ranking is aggregated with lists from both RRSNY and NYRRS to create a top referee list across the NE/NY/NJ region. This list is comprised both of high caliber referees and referees who show potential to become high caliber and need higher level games for their growth and development.

 

The most competitive matches (Liberty Conference, D2 Men's Club, D1 Women's Club, Playoffs, etc.) are identified across the ANCRR region, and the referees in the aggregate ANCRR pool are assigned by ANCRR to these matches.

 

The highest ranked or most experienced referees do not always get the highest competitive matches. Developing referees reach a point where they need matches that challenge them for the next level. Referee's availability, realistic goals, game availability, game logistics, and the development process all play a role in these selections. This is why talking to assignors at the beginning of the season can impact the assignment process.

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IMPORTANT: ANCRR level matches are a higher pace, and referees must be able to keep up with a high pace of play produced by athletes in their prime in order to be eligible for these assignments. 

 

STEP 4) NERRS Assignments

The top level NERRS assignments will be chosen by the Director of Appointments. That is typically only a few games per week. Whatever NERRS matches are not assigned by ANCRR or the Director of Appointments are then assigned by the local assignors. 

 

The local assignors coordinate with the Director of Appointments to provide the best coverage for the tournaments and matches in their area.

 

They leverage their knowledge to assess which matches are expected to be more tense thus may require more skilled management and which matches are expected to present fewer challenges. They mutually collaborate to assign referees in our regions. The primary factors governing decisions are availability, referee grades, game logistics, expected required game management, and referee experience. Other factors include the following:

• NERRS has to cover all levels of rugby for our region.

• Referees should expect to cover a mix of match levels throughout the season.

• NERRS tries not to assign a referee to the same team multiple times in a season.

• As the season goes on, referees on a development track may be assigned more challenging matches.

• Injuries/weather/changes happen, so every week there is the possibility for a last-minute change of assignments.

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If there is a change in assignments, it is because NERRS needs to alter assignments to give each game requested the appropriate coverage. 

 

STEP 5) Playoff Appointments

At the end of the season, the referees on the development track who have shown commitment and improvements are given priority for playoffs while still giving the teams referees who are appropriate levels for their matches.

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