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Texas Rugby Referee AssociationWelcome to the Texas Rugby Referee Association (TRRA) Corner.

Here you will find anything and everything about becoming a referee, getting assignments etc.

Thanks for visiting us!

2015 TRRA Chairman and Vice Chairman Results

Texas Rugby Referee AssociationCongratulations to the new TRRA Chairman Butch Neuenschwander and Vice Chairman Scott Green.

Butch has been a referee for five years, is a C1 referee, CMO Certified and is working towards becoming a World Rugby Educator. He takes on the role of Chairman as Traci Young has stepped down to focus on other areas. Traci will continue to give back to the game as a referee and as a referee coach but is looking forward to taking a break from administration. We can’t thank Traci enough for her tireless work, make sure to giveher your thanks as you see her around the pitch.

Scott has been a referee in Texas for five plus years and brings a wealth of experience to the table. He is USA Rugby National Panel referee, CMO certified and is regularly called upon to handle the toughest matches in Texas. He is truly an artist of the game and believes strongly in letting the players play within the laws of the game.

Feel free to reach out to Butch and Scott:

Butch – bneuenschwander@texasrugbyunion.com

Scott – sgreen@texasrugbyunion.com

Complete the Referee L1 Course & we’ll refund you the cost!

10419457_648274051928755_5105821905885691897_nRefereeing is a fun, exciting, non-contact way to be involved with Rugby. There are many reasons to take up officiating, you get to see all the action from the best position on the field, it’s a great way to keep fit, enhance your knowledge of the laws, and meet new and interesting people.

The one-day Level 1 Referee course will teach you the fundamentals of the referee’s involvement in the game. The Course comprises of ten units of online learning and some face-to-face learning. Once you have completed the online and face-to-face sessions, you will have gained the skills and knowledge needed to be a fair and effective referee.

What about my $60 bucks?

Very simple! The next course will be held in conjunction with the TRU Summ it in Dallas, TX. Register, complete the certification course and then work with the Texas Rugby Referee Association to officiate four matches (we’ll provide a coaching and additional training) and then the TRU will refund you the course cost ($60).  On top of that you will also receive a match reimbursement per match of at least $50, that’s $200 for a couple of weekends!

Touch Judge / Assistant Referee Certifications [Team Requirement]

Scott Green & Joey Swatzell discuss a call | Texas Rugby Referee Association
Scott Green & AR Joey Swatzell discuss a call | Texas Rugby Referee Association
Photo by Norma Salinas Photography

For the upcoming 2015-2016 competitive season, all teams will be required to provide TWO certified Touch Judge or Assistant Referees for all home league matches. TRU is offering FREE TJ/AR courses at the TRU Summit in Allen, TX on Aug 29-30, 2015.

The TRU Board highly encourages all teams to send representatives to the Summit in order to be certified. If teams cannot attend the TRU Summit, teams must provide proof of online USA Rugby TJ or AR Course Certification (cost $30) before September 1, 2015. Proof of certification can be sent to admin@texasrugbyunion.com.

Register for the FREE TJ/AR Courses at the TRU Summit.

Referee Courses, L1, L2, CMO, TJ & AR Accepting Registrations | TRU SUMMIT

Scott Green & Joey Swatzell discuss a call | Texas Rugby Referee Association
Scott Green & Joey Swatzell discuss a call
Photo by Norma Salinas Photography

We’ve opened the referee course registrations for the L1, L2 and Coaching of Match Officials for the Summit coming up on Aug 29-30, 2015. A referee has a unique perspective as they have the best seat in the house for all the action. Become an artist of the game and help the players compete within the laws and get paid!

Sign up today as each course is capped at 10 participants:

L1 Referee Course – Sunday, August 30 – $60

The purpose of this introductory course is to enable officials to acquire basic skills to officiate safe, enjoyable competition. Course certification is required for anyone who wishes to referee matches.

Register

L2 Referee Course – August 29-30 – $120

The purpose of this course is to enable officials to develop further the skills acquired in the introductory course so as to officiate safe, enjoyable competition. This course requires 2 days.

Register

Coaching of Match Officials – Sunday, August 30 – $60

The purpose of this course is to introduce the concept and role of referee coaching to enable assistance and guidance to develop the referee.

Register

TRU Touch Judge and Assistant Referee – August 30 – FREE

TRU Touch Judge Course

Provides instruction on the primary tasks of the touch judge in adjudicating touch, touch-in-goal, kicks at goal, and the roles of the touch judge in seven-a-side rugby.

TRU Assistant Referee

Provides instruction on the secondary and tertiary responsibilities and tasks of the touch judge, including the adjudication of foul play.

Register: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/tru-touch-judge-assistant-referee-signup/

What about the Coaching Courses?

Register for the L200 and L300 Coaching Course here: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/

What’s the TRU Summit?

Get more information about the Summit here: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/

2015 TRRA Chair and Vice Chair Nominees

Texas Rugby Referee AssociationThe nomination window has closed for TRRA Chairman and Vice Chairman.  The nominations received were: Butch Neuenschwander (Chairman) and Scott Green (Vice Chair).  Each nominee was asked to submit a rugby resume, and personal statement:

Butch Neuenschwander
Scott Green

Additional nominations may be submitted on the day of the AGM, however, they will not be listed on the website for member review. Voting will occur at the TRRA AGM, July 19, 2015; we highly encourage all referees to attend. RSVP by responding to the Who’s the Ref invitation or emailing admin@texasrugbyunion.com by Friday, July 10, 2015. Lunch will be provided to those who rsvp.

If a referee cannot attend, they may submit their vote by absentee (email) by Friday, July 17, 2015 at 5pm. Note that absentee votes must be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com. Or you may give your proxy to another TRRA Member who will be attending the meeting, notice of this proxy must also be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com by the same deadline as above. Per the bylaws, each TRRA Member can only hold one proxy.

Please contact the current TRRA Chairman or any member of the R&L Committee if you have questions or concerns about this process.

TRU Summit – Aug 29-30, 2015 @ Griffins Den

Texas Rugby Union Summit

Mark your calendars! The Texas Rugby Union is holding it’s first ever Regional Development Summit on August 29-30, 2015 in the Dallas area. The 2 day event will be held at The Den – Athletic Training and Performance Center and will be hosted by the Griffins Rugby Club.

This event is for rugby of all levels including Adults, Collegiate, High School and Youth, men, women, fans, coaches, referees, players and die-hards alike. This is the best opportunity to learn and share about coaching, refereeing and administration.

More details: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/492795557550325/

Hashtag: #TRUSummit

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TRRA Chairman and Vice Chairman Nomination Process

Texas Rugby Referee AssociationThe TRRA R&L Committee is now accepting nominations for individuals interested in running for Chairman or Vice Chairman. Individuals may nominate themselves by submitting a rugby resume as well as a personal statement (maximum 500 words) explaining why they wish to run for either position. Individuals may also nominate others, the R&L will contact these individuals to determine if they accept the nomination and acquire the requested documents.

NOTE: Nominees must be TRRA CIPP’d in order to be accepted.

Please send nominations to the TRU Admin, admin@texasrugbyunion.com; Note that the nomination window closes July 1, 2015. Nominations will be posted on the TRU website no later than July 6, 2015 for all members to review.  Voting will occur at the TRRA AGM, July 19, 2015; we highly encourage all referees to attend.

If a referee cannot attend, they may submit their vote by absentee (email) by Friday, July 17, 2015 at 5pm. Note that absentee votes must be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com. Or you may give your proxy to another TRRA Member who will be attending the meeting, notice of this proxy must be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com by Friday, July 17, 2015 at 5pm. Per the bylaws, each TRRA Member can only hold one proxy.

Please contact the current TRRA Chairman or any member of the R&L Committee if you have questions or concerns about this process.

Nomination  Process:

Now – Jul 1: Nominees are accepted (admin@texasrugbyunion.com)
Jul 7: Nominations posted to the TRU website for review
Jul 17: Absentee and proxies must be sent to admin@texasrugbyunion.com by 5pm.
Jul 19: Voting at AGM

TRRA AGM on Sunday, July 19

Texas Rugby Referee AssociationThe TRRA will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, July 19 in Houston, TX. Meeting location is still being finalized; tentatively scheduled from 10am to 4pm.

What: TRRA AGM (Agenda & Minutes)
When: Sunday, July 19, 2015 from 10am to 4pm
Where: Crowne Plaza Houston – 8686 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77054 [MAP]

All TRRA members (in good standing) are invited to attend, but need to RSVP (see invite from Who’s the Ref) by July 10, 2015 to ensure adequate room size and lunch reservations. Non-TRRA members are welcome, please send your RSVP to the TRU Admin (admin@texasrugbyunion.com).

Agenda items will be posted to the web accordingly and new business items and/or discussion item requests can be sent to tschmidtke@texasrugbyunion.com for addition to the meeting agenda.

Griffins Providing “RefCam” to Help Further Develop the Game

Griffins RugbyThis week we’d like to highlight a team that is going above and beyond to help develop the game across all levels. Griffins Rugby are offering every match official the opportunity to wear their Sony – AS100 HD Action Cam. Referees can then view the game film from two angles as the Griffins also provide film from above.

Here is a sample from the Griffins “RefCam”:

The Sony Action Cam is attached to a head strap with the Sony Universal Head Mount Kit.