Referee Resources

How to book CPD and club/team training

Personal or team Development Training is conducted on a supply demand basis by the Society Training Officer in conjunction with the RFU. All queries are to be directed to the STO below:

Martin Bentley
Society Training and Development Officer

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate contacting us at any time. We look forward to seeing you during the season.

Referee Discipline

Guidance To Army Referees On Submitting Discipline and Match Official Abuse Forms

This applies to games involving RN, RAF, Army and RAF Teams. For purely civilian games follow the guidance of your Civilian Society.

The ARURS Discipline Officer is Maj Rob Hitch.

All discipline issues should be directed to him without delay. Please contact Rob on the following email address.

Downloads

20260703-ARURS_Match_Officials_Protocol – Uploaded 03 Jul 2026
Letter to Game re New Law Book – Uploaded 03 Jan 2018
Age Grade Crib Sheet – Uploaded 03 Jan 2018
Crib Sheet for New Laws – Uploaded 03 Jan 2018
Unit Discipline Aide Memoire 2016 – Uploaded 23 Jan 2017
ARU Discipline Notice – Suspension after Red Cards – Uploaded 14 Mar 2016
RB Memo on Dangerous Tackles – Uploaded 4 Feb 2015
Code of Rugby – Uploaded 13 Nov 2013
ARU Pitch-side Management – Uploaded 16 Nov 2013
Red Card / Match Official Abuse Report Writing Guidance

Red Card Action

IMPORTANT NOTICE Provisional Suspension – Letter to Referees August 2013

When dismissing a player, note the following:

Players name
Players number
The time of the dismissal
The score at the time
The nature of the offence.

Immediately after leaving the pitch make detailed notes of the incident and establish the name of the player.

As soon as possible, and certainly within 48 hours, complete a Level 5 and Below Red Card Report. The latest version may be found here (participation – Refereeing – Referee Resources).

Email the completed Report to the ARURS Discipline Officer, who will forward the document to the relevant Constituent Body, after discussing with you if necessary. It is critical that the report reaches the relevant CB Discipline Secretary within 48 hours so that they can convene a panel to hear the case.

Red Card Sending Off Report

Society Red Card Report

Abuse

If you are subject to abuse, do not react abusively or take any threatening action yourself. Try to identify the individual(s) concerned and note their names at the time. If possible, warn the individuals that you will be reporting their behaviour (this would not be appropriate if it were crowd abuse being reported, where it would be better to inform the club of the action you will be taking).
Make detailed notes immediately after the game.
Contact the ARURS Discipline Officer if you need advice (details at the top of the page).
As soon as possible complete a Level 5 and Below Match Official Abuse Report. The latest version may be found at here (participation – refereeing – referee resources) and submit it via the Discipline Officer.

Match Officials Abuse Form

Level 5 and Below Match Official Abuse Report

Citing

There may be occasions when action may be taken to cite a player. This will be rare and can only happen where the referee has, for a number of reasons (unsighted, yellow card or penalty), not dismissed a player for an act of foul play.
As soon as you become aware of any citing action being considered, make your own detailed notes about the game, as you would probably be called as witness at the subsequent disciplinary hearing.

Abandoning a Match

If you have to abandon a match on disciplinary grounds, you have in fact dismissed both sides and will need to submit a Level 5 and Below Red Card Report (pdf). The latest version may be found here (Participation – Refereeing – Referee Resources).
Contact the ARURS Discipline Officer if you need advice (details at the top of the page).