Referee Courses

Below you will find information on each referee course that Rugby Canada has to offer. To find an updated list of courses being offered, follow the links at the bottom of each section or head to https://training.rugbycanada.ca. 

Step-by-step registration guide: Match Official Course Registration How-to Guide 

World Rugby Level 1 Officiating:

Introducing Officiating is a basic level program. In most cases, this will be the course that will introduce new recruits to refereeing. Rugby Canada views this program as an “introduction to refereeing” and the minimum level of accreditation, but does not view it as an ideal ongoing level of accreditation appropriate for continuing referees. Referees with ambitions to gain advanced level appointments should eventually progress to higher level accreditation.

Referees with this level of accreditation are ideally suited to officiate athletes in the learn to train, train to train, and train to compete stages of the LTRD.

Course Description: "Introduction to officiating in a safe, competent and enjoyable way."

The cost for this course is $150.

What Rugby Ontario provides: Whistle, Law Book, Cards
What Registrants need to bring: Cleats, Running Shoes, Athletic Wear (appropriate for high-performance training), Pen, Paper, Referee Uniform (if available)

Reminder: before registering the World Rugby Level 1 Officiating course, please visit the World Rugby Passport website and complete the World Rugby Rugby Ready Program, the Laws of the Game Examination, and the Concussion Management for the General Public interactive learning module. Your registration will only be approved if you're in possession of the World Rugby Rugby Ready Program, the Laws of the Game Examination, and Concussion Management for the General Public module certificates of completion.

Upcoming World Rugby Level 1 Officiating Courses

World Rugby Level 2 Officiating

Developing Officiating Skills course provides a much more comprehensive program, and should be viewed as the ideal level of accreditation required for match officials with ambitions to advance their refereeing skills and knowledge. Although new recruits will typically enrol in a Level 1 accreditation program, there is no restriction that will prevent them undertaking Level 2 without having previously attained their Level 1.

Referees with this level of accreditation are ideally suited to officiate athletes in train to compete and train to perform stages of the LTRD.

Course Description: "Development of officiating in a safe, competent and enjoyable way with a minimum standard of officiating skills."

The cost for this course is $250.

What Rugby Ontario provides: Whistle, Law Book, Cards

What Registrants need to bring: Cleats, Running Shoes, Athletic Wear (appropriate for high-performance training), Pen, Paper, Referee Uniform (if available)

Upcoming World Rugby Level 2 Officiating Courses

World Rugby Level 3 Officiating:

Rugby Canada Invitation Only

Analysis & Preparation course provides High Performance Match Officials the tools to plan, prepare, execute, analyze, and improve at the elite level of competition. Athletes at this level are expected to engage in detailed and complete match planning and analysis. This level of accreditation is administered by Rugby Canada, and is only offered to High Performance National Panel Match Officials.

Referees with this level of accreditation are ideally suited to officiate athletes in ultimate performance of the LTRD.

Course Description: "Enhancement of officiating skills based on sound refereeing experience and ambition to achieve a higher standard in officiating."

World Rugby Level 1 Coach of Match Officials:

Introduction to the Coaching of Officials is the ideal course for any participant that wants to assist in the development of Match Officials. This course provides participants with the tools to help referees reach their goals by assisting the process of self-evaluation. Participants will come out of this course with the ability to provide constructive feedback, specific to refereeing.

Coaches with this level of accreditation are ideally suited to work with Level 1 or 2 Match Officials.

The cost for this course is $150.

Upcoming World Rugby Level 1 Coach of Match Officials Courses

World Rugby Level 2 Coach of Match Officials:

*Rugby Canada Invitation Only*

Developing the Coaching of Officials' Skills is the ideal course for participants seeking to provide input into the development of elite Match Officials. This course provides participants with the tools to help High Performance referees review, analyze, and prepare. This level of accreditation is administered by Rugby Canada, and is only offered to coaches that will be active in development at the National and World Rugby levels of officiating. 

Coaches with this level of accreditation are ideally suited to work with Level 3 Match Officials.

There is no cost for this level of accreditation.