ARLB AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Association of Referees, Leinster Branch will take place on Wednesday April 29th at 8pm in Old Belvedere R.F.C.
Team of Three for Town Cup Final
The officials for the Towns Cup final were Kevin Beggs (Touch Judge), John Montayne (Sub Referee), and Dudley Phillips(Referee)
ARLB Annual Dinner 09
Pictured Here are Alain Roland ARLB, Brian Pender President ARLB, John Callaghan Senior Vice President IRFU, Des Lamont Senior Vice President Leinster Branch, Alan Lewis ARLB
Pictured Here are Tom Tuohy Hon Sec ARLB, Jerome Counihan Senior Vice President ARLB, Brian Pender President ARLB, Fran Nolan Junior Vice President ARLB, Brendan Lynch Hon Tres ARLB
The annual Association of Referees Leinster Branch dinner took place in Old Belvedere RFC on Saturday, March 28th. President Brian Pender’s guests on the night were John Callaghan (Senior Vice President, I.R.F.U.), Des Lamont (Senior Vice President, Leinster Branch), Dorothy Collins (Honorary Secretary, Leinster Branch) and Presidents from the Referee Associations/Society of Munster, Connacht and Ulster.
The night was a very enjoyable occasion and there were many highlights, particularly the attendance of Philip Gray who is recovering from a serious traffic accident was both very emotional and, as this was Philip’s first major social outing since his accident, he was accompanied by his wife Sandra who expressed her thanks for the support Philip and she had received from all the members of the ARLB, schools and clubs.
The appearance of the Six Nations Grand slam trophies was a great success and put our photographer under major pressure to ensure all the required pictures were taken. A special word of thanks to Pat Fitzgerald (Chairman Marketing Committee, IRFU), who enabled it to happen.
President Brian Pender made a presentation to Dorothy Collins who retires this year. Brian Pender said that Dorothy had been a great help to ARLB in the area of disciplinary matter and was always available to give advice.
Neville Matthews (C.E.O. Subaru Ireland) - the ARLB’s main sponsor - thanked the Association for all the hard work they do in promoting the name of Subaru and looked forward to continuing their friendship.
Our M.C. on the night, Gerry Maher, added to the occasion with his own brand of humour and nobody escaped his gentle ribbing!
The speakers on the night were Brian Pender, John Callaghan and Jerome Counihan. The guest speaker was Kingsley Aikins, whose speech was both humorous and enlightening.
The annual awards this year were; The Harry Ardill Referee of the Year recipient was Tony Duncan (Kilkenny RFC). Club of the year went to Ashbourne RFC and the Ham Lambert Hall of Fame award was presented to Ned Cummins (Lansdowne FC). All recipients were very worthy of their awards.
Pictured Here are Philip Aherne MAR, Michael Ward CAR, Aoife McCarthy ARLB, Brendan Lynch Hon Tres ARLB, Brendan Jenkinson ARLB
Pictured Here are Sean Dunne Subaru, Brian Pender President ARLB, Neville Matthews Subaru
Pictured Here are Neville Matthews Subaru, Philip Gray ARLB, Sandra Gray
Refereeing in the Arabian Gulf
Refereeing rugby in the Arabian Gulf is full of surprises. Some are pleasant, others not so much.
The first surprise is the heat. Well, I suppose it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that at the beginning of September when the season starts the temperatures are well over 40 degrees, regardless of whether you play at day or night. But even though your mind might be prepared for it, your body will still be shocked to the point of threatening to cease functioning unless you find a shady area to curl up and die.
Google Maps Leinster Club Location
Click the link below to find a very useful set of links in Google maps of all the Leinster club locations. You can even get directions to and from your home to any of the venues.
Download Game Variation Document
Download this very useful document (for your kit bag) which includes all the variations and ELV applications across all age grades from Mini Rugby to the Adult game
Subaru announce new two-year deal with ARLB
International referees Alain Rolland and Alan Lewis were delighted to help promote the new two year deal between the ARLB (Association of Referees Leinster Branch) and Subaru Ireland
Subaru are in their third year sponsoring Leinster referees and are delighted to be part of a successful team.
Leinster Referee Get Sevens Call-Up
Leinster referee David Keane has been chosen as part of a 22-strong referee panel for the upcoming 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series, which begins in Dubai in November.
The International Rugby Board has confirmed the selection of match officials for the eight tournaments that comprise the record-breaking IRB Sevens World Series, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this season.
The Series, which kicks off in Dubai on November 28 and 29, has played a major part in the development of up-and-coming international referees over the past decade and 14 Unions are represented in this season's referee panel.David Keane, an IRFU Referee Development Officer, is a regular on the Sevens circuit and will see action at all eight tournament, from Dubai in November through to Edinburgh next May.
The selection of the panel of referees for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai (March 5-7) will be announced shortly.
Largest ever attendance at Leinster Referees Seminar
Sunday August 17th 2008 saw the biggest ever attendance at the Pre-season Seminar organised by the Leinster Association of Referees .By 9:30 am 184 members had signed in. The explanation is simple. Association President Brian Pender had communicated to referees that they would not be appointed to games until such time as they had attended an E.L.V. presentation.
The I.R.F.U. were in charge of the opening presentation outlining the 13 experimental law variations that will apply here from August 1st 2008.This session was taken by Dave Mc Hugh and he gave a very succinct presentation which clarified the key issues for all present. He highlighted that experimental law variation 3 (“players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down”) will not apply to games in Ireland played where under 19 variations apply. He also took the time to remind referees of the need to be strict in applying the tackle law and to sanction the handling of the ball in ruck situations.
Fran Nolan then outlined the new structures that will apply for referee assessment. He gave a public commitment that all referees not assessed last season will have an assessment prior to the end of the calendar year. Dermot O’ Mahony complimented referees for the speed with which they submitted results to the Branch. He asked them to record all yellow cards deemed necessary throughout the season.
The Afternoon session started with a Q&A format with Alan Gaffney fielding the questions. He was asked about the difference between working with Munster and Leinster professional squads. Interestingly, he articulated his view that Leinster has the best structures in place for the advancement of developing players. He is optimistic that Leinster has the players and management team in place to be a serious force in European rugby this season.
The final module of the day was taken by Steve Griffith (I.R.B.) who provided a fascinating insight into the process that led to the introduction of E.L.V.s. He clarified what is currently happening throughout the world and what will happen when the various experiments have to be reviewed. He rejected the suggestion that any type of simplistic Northern hemisphere versus Southern hemisphere divide will emerge. He argued strongly that proposed law variations must be experimented with and legislators must make their decisions based on a wealth of feedback data. Everyone present was given a copy of the I.R.B. guide to E.L.V.s.
In addition, David Keane delivered a level 1 programme to 25 people who hope to take up refereeing. He was assisted by Gearoid Ferrick, Brian Gildea and Eanna O’Dowd.
From the point of view of the Association, it was most encouraging that so many organised themselves to be there for the day and are now able to return to all levels of the game and explain the E.L.V.s. The final word is for people not to forget that all other Laws remain in place and will apply throughout the season.
Finally, a sincere thank you to all those who put in a lot of work to ensure that the Association is ready for the challenges that this new season will present.
Gerard Maher, Seminar Co-ordinator August 2008.
Presidents Address 08
I am very honoured and proud to be elected as your President for the coming season. I would like to thank Norman Camier for proposing me and I know that I have a hard act to follow, given the tremendous work done last year- particularly in the areas of recruitment, retention and communication.
Our Association faces many challenges in the months ahead not least in maintaining the momentum on recruitment and retention. We are fortunate in having David Keane focused on recruitment in Leinster and a heightened awareness among the Area Reps. of the importance of retaining these recruits mainly through ensuring that they get matches. I believe it is the responsibility of every member of the ARLB to be constantly on the look out for potential new members and to pass on their details to David Keane.
Last season we introduced a new assignment system for assessors which like any new system needed time to bed in and be tested. This system has now been refined and a huge amount of work has been done by Jerome Counihan, Fran Nolan and Bernard Boland. This system will work and it requires the commitment of all concerned to ensure it does – Assessors and Referees alike !. It is our ambition that every active referee will be assessed at least twice during next season.
The impending introduction of the Experimental Law Variations, ( ELV )s, has been well publiscised. ELVs will be the keynote topic at the Seminar on August 17th. , delivered by IRFU personnel. It is imperative that all active referees attend the seminar as our selectors are not allowed to appoint match officials who have not attended an IRFU presentation on ELVs. I would also urge all active referees to ensure they maintain/improve their fitness levels as fitness will be more important than ever next season.
I would like to take this opportnity in congratulating John Montayne on reaching the AIL National Panel and to John Carvil on receiving an IRFU contract. Well done to you both.
Finally I wish you all a successful and enjoyable season in whatever role you fill in the ARLB. I am always available to take suggestions and constructive criticism and I look forward to meeting you all on August 17th.
ARLB Mission Statement
“To recruit, retain and continuously develop qualified referees to meet current and future demands of the game.”
The Referee Development Plan is the vehicle through which an agreed, effective and integrated Refereeing Recruitment, Training and Development framework will be achieved.
Under the leadership of the Irish Rugby Football Union, Leinster Branch and in partnership with the Association of Referees Leinster Branch the provision of more enjoyable and fulfilling opportunities will be achieved through the delivery of high quality programmes, structures and facilities.
Child Welfare Document
The Child Welfare Document has been ratified by IRFU and came into force on 1st September 2007. It will be posted to all members (over 300) within the first week of September. I would urge all members to read the Document carefully and please sign the acceptance form and return ASAP. If any member requires additional information please contact me at 086- 6047683 or email honsecarlb@eircom.net
Our document is part of the IRFU Child Welfare Document, which will be ready in mid season.
Please Note:Failure to sign the acceptance form will result in the termination of your membership of the Association of Referees Leinster Branch