Welcome to the Army Rugby Union Referees' Society (ARURS). We aim to promote and develop rugby refereeing in the Army, to provide referees for the three Services and to provide referees for civilian societies and other bodies affiliated to the RFU where appropriate.
ARU NEWSLETTER
Dave Edmondson – ARURS Chairman
I have been playing Rugby since the age of 11 and still remain extremely passionate about the game. I represented the REME in both UK and Germany for over 15 years before age took its toll on my speed and ability to recover from the knocks. I have been the Rugby Officer of a number of Units and was the Secretary of REME Rugby in Germany in the mid 90s. My highlight was as the Rugby Officer at RMA Sandhurst, coaching and taking them to New Zealand on tour.
I first took up the whistle in 2002 when I was trying to ease out of playing and knew that if I coached straight away I would have still trotted out for the odd game. I was the Hon Secretary of the ARURS from 2003 to the end of the 2010/11 season before stepping up as Chairman. I also began coaching in 2003 and am currently Level 2; I have coached mini / youth rugby since 2003 and am currently the Head Coach of Camberley U15s. My two sons are rugby mad (not that they had any choice!) and are both talented scrum halves with a much better pass than I ever had. My remaining ambition is to play a match on the same team as my sons; this will happen in 2016 when they are both old enough to play adult rugby. My family are all long suffering and enthusiastic Sale Sharks supporters.
Contact details:
Chief Instructor
REME Arms School
Box H120,
Hazebrouck Bks
Arborfield
RG2 9NH
Tel: 94251 2726
01189 763726
Mob: 078 2513 3372
Email: david.edmondson@remearmssch.mod.uk
Des Chapman – ARURS Vice-Chair & CSSR/ARURS RLO
Commence my long association with ARURS back in April 1969, by completing a Probationary Referees course held at Catterick. Although still a player in those days, I refereed at every opportunity and soon realised this was the side of Rugby I wanted to pursue.
Shortly after reaching (the old B3 grade) I was posted to Germany, where I blew the whistle more than actually playing. This developed into a keen and self-obsession to reach the highest grade I could possibly achieve. On posting back to UK, I was most fortunate to have a number of very good mentors (referees, on the old RFU Panel A List). Good coaching and sound advice, I found myself on the RFU Panel A4 List at age of 30. Not young by today’s standards, but in the early 70′s unusual. Having spent 3 seasons on the RFU A4 List, a chance to go on Loan Service with the Kuwait Army seemed too good to turn down. On my return to UK some three years later, needing to establish and re-grade, my active refereeing continued for 32 years, until the knees said “enough, please retire”.
The rest is history; I first joined the ARURS Committee as S.E. District Area Secretary back in 1977. This followed a succession of Area Sec appointments, before being asked to take over the Hon Treasurer post (on a temporary basis) in 1984. The short-term position lasted some 20 years, including Hon Sec, Dinner Sec and other interesting Committee work until leaving the army. I have had the honour to remain and assist in various appointments in my capacity as Vice Chairman and currently CSRR/ARURS RLO.
Contact details:
ES Branch
HQ 49 (East) Bde
Bld 125,
Chetwynd Bks
Beeston
Nottingham
NG9 5HA
Mil Tel: 94451-2191
Civ Tel: 0115 957 2191
Fax: 0115 957 2760
Mobile: 075 9082 4347
e-mail: Home: des.chapman@btinternet.com
e-mail: Work Des.Chapman128@mod.uk
Dai Williams – Treasurer
First completed Army Referee’s Course back in 1979 (the white laces era), though continued playing with a bit of refereeing up until 1991 and then fully joined the society in Berlin.
I joined the North Wales Society of the WRU in 1992 and through tours of NI got onto the WRU list in 1995. Climbed the ladder and reached the Welsh Premier in 2001 until an injury put paid to that for a season. Then had to start aiming for the Premier again and reached it again at 48!! Have officiated in Senior, U21 and Female Internationals, Heineken Cup, Magnar’s League. In my service career I have refereed the RN v RAF on 3 times and the CS v Barbarians twice, as well as a number of the Army playing International teams.
For the society I have been an Area Sec, as well as the Combined Services Appointments Officer (nightmare job!!). I also advise the Senior Army team on Refereeing matters, currently their Sports Massage Therapist. On the Welsh Society, I am their current Treasurer, Chairman of Gwent Dragons Society and The appointments officer for the Dragons Region.
Contact details:
WO2 Dai Williams
ARURS Treasurer
AFCO Gloucester
4th Floor
Britannia Warehouse
The Docks
Gloucester
GL1 2EH
Tel: 01452 524539
Email: armysenrec.gloucester@afco.mod.uk
John Voss – Society Training Officer & CSRR Development Manager
Born in the fabulous Georgian City of Bath in the heart of West Country Rugby, yes we can play rugby before you start!!
Studied at Beechen Cliff School that put me on the road of sport including Judo and Rugby. On leaving school I continued to play rugby and train as a Mechanical Engineer in the Bath Technical College and on completion of my apprenticeship I decided it would be a greater challenge if I joined the Army (REME) and travel around the world and get paid for it!!!!
After breaking my neck in a judo accident, I decided to take up the whistle after trying out coaching in 1994 joining the Army and Hampshire Societies. Moved to Germany and continued officiating in Germany, Holland and Denmark, all very good if you can speak their language!! Returned to Nottingham joining Notts, Lincs and Derby and coached by Brain “Waistcoat” Parkinson. Posted to Northern Ireland and took up the posts of CSRR DO and ARURS STO which has been enjoyable in a ever changing and demanding environment with members located within the three services located in the four corners of the world.
I enjoy most sporting and adventurous activities (As long as Bath are winning!) and like to tour on the motorbike when work is getting to me!
Contact details:
Mobile: 077 1276 2598
Email: johnvoss1@hotmail.com
Colin Moore – Assistant STO and Shop Manager
Colin was born in Swanley and only one sport proved to be his passion – rugby! Nothing to do with him being 6ft plus tall or getting out of the classroom away from maths in the classroom!
Leaving school he joined the Army (REME) as a Recovery Mechanic serving in all the hot spots around the world with him recently returning for a tour of Afghanistan which resulted in him being recognised for his professionalism by being awarded for a Commander’s Commendation.
Soldier first and sportsman always, Colin took up refereeing as a player in 1997 completing his course in Germany whilst playing for the Corps in Germany. Being seen as a up and coming referee, Colin took on the challenges within Germany and Holland and developed in to a creditable referee (who would ague with a 6ft plus giant!). On returning to the UK he progressed through the ranks and a leading referees for the Army and has officiated numerous finals and inter service games which can produce pressure not only on the pitch! However in the later years he has given back to the game by taking up training new referees and coaching his Corps team.
Colin enjoys most sporting and adventurous activities (as long as the Tigers are winning!) and like to relax with his fishing rod in his hand next to the river feeding the fish!
Contact details:
3 Yorks
LAD REME
Battlebury Bks
WARMINSTER
Wilts
Tel: 94384 3610
01985 223610
Mob: 075 3312 7067
Email: embobmoore@yahoo.co.uk or colin.moore510@mod.u
Stephen Dowse – ARURS Discipline Officer – UNTIL 31 DEC 11
I have been the CS Area 2 Secretary forever and am the Chairman Discipline Officer and Grading Secretary for the Dorset & Wilts Society (D&WSRFUR).
I took up refereeing when I got too old to play or coach, then advising and assessing after that.
Over the period 1965-77 I played as a rather elegant prop at Malone (NI), Salisbury, Bath, Brecon and Esher and with 1Mx/4 QUEENS, 1 QUEENS, NI CS, SW District, Berlin CS, a dabble in the Army squad and various other loose combinations. Coaching consisted of shouting a lot at various Army unit teams and the George Washington Rugby Club in Washington DC.
Contact details:
HQ 43 (Wx) Bde
Bldg 57
Jalalabad Bks
Tidworth
Wilts
SP9 7BQ
Tel: 94342 4138 civ 01980 656438
Fax: TBC
Mobile: 077 1420 3209
Email: DOWSE@sdowse.fsnet.co.uk
Stuart Gray-Cowan – CSRR Coaching Coordinator & Chairman of Grading Committee
I have been associated with Rugby Union since 1965. I have played for R Signals, BAOR, Far East Land Forces, and a couple of non-descript games for the Army.
In civilian life I have played for Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Salisbury, Wimborne, and County Level for Dorset & Wilts. Continuing my career, I refereed for East Yorkshire for ten years before becoming an assessor; now at level 5 for the Northern Group and Combined Services for whom I travel extensively.
Contact details:
SO2 MS
HQ 15 (NE) Bde
Imphal Bks
Fulford Road
York
YO10 4AW
Tel: 94777 2058 (mil) 01904 66 2058 (civ)
Fax: 94777 2185 (mil) 01904 66 2185 (civ)
Email: sueandstew@tiscali.co.uk
MAJOR Justin Sampson – ARURS Secretary
Profile and Picture to follow
Contact details:
Maj JJ Samposn
ILSM
JSENS DT
#1348
Yew 3b
MoD Abbey Wood
FILTON
Bristol
BS34 8JH
Tel: 96793 2118 (Mil) 03067932118 (Civ)
Email: DES JSENS-ILSM or justin.sampson950@mod.uk
