Refereeing in Swiss Rugby

Rugby Refereeing in a nutshell

Tackle the challenge Take the whistle

First and foremost ...

... refereeing is about facilitating a safe and fair playing environment for players and coaches to participate in. This is a core principle and an ethos that exists from age grade rugby, right the way up to the professional game. A safe game is about managing foul play, correct law application and providing a playing environment that encourages participation. Fairness is about allowing a fair contest for possession and space, in a way that is consistent for both teams.

But there is more ...

It is about managing people, building relationships, communication and knowing the law. Referees are the guardians of these three fundamental values: Safety, fair contest & continuity. A good rugby referee can admit when they're wrong, they respond constructively to feedback. Rugby referees will be more self-aware, more truthful, more willing to stand up for what's fair for others. Refereeing in Rugby will teach you to be assertive - this means being able to be self-assured and confident without being aggressive.

Respect & Discipline

In rugby the referee’s decision must be respected. Drama and ego are diligently stamped out and respect and honor are maintained but this respect must go both ways. As a referee, you will learn that you need to lead by example. A Rugby referees not there to be a tyrant or to lord power over others but to be a representative of truth fair play and personal responsibility.

Take the whistle

For those rugby players concerned that refereeing might interfere with their playing: it will actually enhance it as you will become a smarter, a better informed and a prouder and more motivated player who fully understands and appreciates what the game stands for. If you're someone who plays Rugby or even someone who's never been in a scrum in their lives maybe you've got exactly what it takes.

Step in your refereeing boots!

More on refereeing ...

Tackle the challenge Take the whistle

Communication & Game Management

As a referee, if you can communicate clearly and succinctly, players and coaches will better understand your decisions. This involves communicating with

your whistle,
your primary and secondary signals
and of course with your voice.

Sometimes you will encounter challenging situations that will require more management. The ability to build a relationship during a game with a captain can help you to manage a team as a whole when the temperature of a game rises. The communication is also key to prevent some infringements. Instead of waiting for an infringement to be committed, the referee can help to optimize the continuity of the game.

Why is it important?

The less the referee can whistle, the more the game is enjoyable! It is about people management too and working with many different personality types and an appreciation of emotional intelligence. You must stay calm in sometimes stressful environments. The language you use, your tone of voice and your body language are all effective refereeing tools. Sometimes, not speaking can be just as effective as speaking.

Have a you got what it takes to be a rugby ref?

Take on the refereeing challenge!

Law & Materiality

Decision time: When to blow the whistle

Most referees know the law, but the best referees know how and when to apply it. The referees who progress are the referees who know best when not to blow the whistle.

"The art of refereeing"

This requires an understanding of the materiality of an offence as well as a knowledge and feel for the game that allows the referee to understand what the players are trying to achieve. Being able to take all of this into consideration in a split second and making a good decision is the ‘art of refereeing’.

More information about the laws

Swiss Referee Association

"Commission des Arbitres" (Referee Association)

In Switzerland, the CA "Commission des Arbitres" (CA) is the reference body for the referees to cover the following competitions:

Senior men’s and women’s rugby in 7s and 15s

U18s
U16s

For the U14s, the CA supports the Federal project focusing on youth refereeing. The idea is to let the young players referee their own games with the support of a senior referee.

Additionally, the referees’ society tries its best to publish Game Management Guidelines to make the laws not only more understandable for referees but also for coaches and players. The idea is to explain the new laws and clarify specific situations for better overall development. And for more discussions and questions, you can always refer to the referees social media platforms.

In Switzerland, two bodies coexist regarding refereeing:

The Referee Manager is responsible for the referees’ performance and is a member of the Federation staff. He/she appoints the referees for the different competitions, trains the referees, and defines the match officials’ performance strategy. The referee manager is the key person regarding refereeing issues between the referees, the clubs, and the federation.

The President of the referee society is elected by his peers and is the voice of the referees. Of course, the referee manager and the President of the referee society work closely together to reach strategy expectations.

Local societies - Referees are in the same club but are spread across the country which makes it difficult to meet and train together. That is why local societies have been created to easier facilitate regional events.In Switzerland, 4 local societies manage the regional referees in organizing training and social events:

Geneva (contact: Nick Dobney)
Lausanne (contact: Aurélie Lemouzy)
Basel (contact: Andy Kendall)
Zurich (contact: Paul Timmins)

Get in contact with the Referee Association

10 Good reason to get involved

It’s not hard to find a couple of good reasons for becoming a rugby referee.

We listed our Top 10 just for you. Feel free to pick your favorite ones:

Staying involved with the game you love, the friendships and the fun.
Feeling good knowing that you’re giving something back.
Staying fit – mentally and physically.
Developing yourself personally and professionally.
Challenging yourself – in a high and diverse way.
Enjoying the action on the pitch – it is as simple as it is.
Educating yourself as it is an ongoing part of being a referee.
There is a place for you and your level of refereeing – from underage games in your area to adult games throughout your Canton/ region.
For referees performing at a consistently high level there are great opportunities to referee nationally and even internationally.
There is an excellent social aspect to refereeing. You will meet a broad range of new people and forge new friendships.

You may find some other reasons - as long as they involve fun and support rugby being an enjoyable game, bring them on!

Start your refereeing career

How to become a referee

Whether you aspire to referee at the highest level or to referee locally, there is a place for you. There are excellent support structures in place to develop referees - and there is a thriving social aspect too.

A stepwise approach to refereeing

STEP #1

Find a club near you

Get in contact with your local club or inform your coach about your interest. Alternatively, you can simply rock up at a training session at a club near you and get in touch. Are no clubs close by? No worries, you can-> jump right to STEP #2

STEP #2

Get informed

Contact the “Commission des Arbitres” (CA =referee society) via E-Mail to find out information on the upcoming training sessions. Each season, there are at least two introduction courses proposed in Switzerland.

-> E-Mail Referee Association

STEP #3

Prepare yourself

Before the introduction courses, you can first prepare on your own! Get an account on World Rugby Passport & read the laws online. You can then take two online certificates named “Rugby Ready” and “Law test”.

-> World Rugby Passport

STEP #4

Take a training

Come to the introduction course “World Rugby L1 MO” delivered by Referee Society and meet your peers. The one-day course introduces basics (classroom) as well as technique, body language & management on the pitch with fun scenarios.

STEP #5

Personal development plan

Build your personal development plan based on your expectations, level, and your commitment to reach your objectives! An experienced referee/ coach will support you during your first steps – so you are not alone!

STEP #6

Make yourself available as a referee

Our online platform (SportLomo) collects referees’ availabilities & the referee manager appoints you to games. You can always share specific requirements with your coach and the referee manager.

STEP #7

Improve yourself

Coaches and supervisors will support you reaching your expectations. Take part in the discussions between refs, join the referee's training, and sharpen your skills.

Taking the whistle

"I am a ref"

Eric Dubouloz

Rugby Club Avusy

Nickname: "Jambon"
Referee since: 2011
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

Eric is a very endearing man with true values. Dedicated, generous, always in a good mood, a pearl.

Yann Benoit

FSR

Referee since: 2008
Certification: World Rugby MO L3

Yann is not only an international referee but also a certified educator & trainer for match officials. So the Rugby laws and the management of the game are no secret to him. Yann is also the Referee Manager for Suisserugby and the man to talk to for any questions related to refereeing.

Contact: referee[at]suisserugby.com

Sébastien Diuritch

FSR

Referee since: 2007
Certification: Referee at National level (France)

Sébastien arrived with a backpack full of experience. What a good draw for the FSR: apart from his talent on the pitches, he is a kind, devoted, serious and discreet man, in other terms, exemplary!

Ethan Glass

FSR

Nick name: "Little big star"
Referee since: 2015
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

Ethan is a very young referee but despite his age, he is already on the international circuit. He is already a role model - and it's just the beginning...

Ashleigh Alkan Zambada

FSR

Referee since: 2018
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

Referees can be women, and they can also referee male matches. Newly arrived from California, Ashleigh is a great example!

Julien Szostak

FSR

Referee since: 1992
Certification: LNA - ProD2 (F)

A referee at the highest level in Switzerland but also in other countries. Julien moved to the other side of the world - Auckland - to improve his refereeing. How lucky we are to have him as part of the team.

Andrea Sacchetti

FSR

Referee since: 2014
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

Originally from Italy, now living in Zürich, Andrea discovered the rugby fields directly through refereeing! Professor and Doctor in experimental physics, you can count on him to explain you the concept of inertia on the passes. A referee who never stops improving. Grazie Andrea!

Luis Mariné

Rugby Club NYON

Referee since: 2014
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

Arrived from Argentina, he could have been a coach but choose to be a referee. Luis referees with the same passion, good humor and a special kindness at all levels. He is a guy that is always willing to step on the pitch - anywhere in Switzerland. Overall profile: A golden guy (and not only because he works for a bank). Vamos Luis!

Raimonds Priednieks

GC Zurich

Referee since: 2006
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

Raimonds comes from Latvia, lives in Germany and comes to referee in Switzerland - providing his experience, particularly in German-speaking Switzerland. His advise to all newbies in refereeing: don't be afraid - be brave and fair!

Aurélie Lemouzy

FSR

Referee since: 2009
Certification: World Rugby MO L3

Aurélie is known to be ultra-dynamic, endorsing several roles in rugby: player, coach, manager, match commissioner but ABOVE ALL referee, a real phenomenon. The only woman currently refereeing in the Swiss LNA (before others we hope) passionate and with international experience.

Thibaut Bourgade

Rugby Genève Plan les Ouates (GPLO)

Referee since: 2017
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

After a career as a player, Thibaut stayed in his boots and took the whistle - reaching the highest level of refereeing in a record time. A fine example to follow!

Francois Molette

Rugby Club Winterhur

Referee since: 2009
Certification: World Rugby MO L2

A key figure in Swiss rugby and a very passionate referee!

Educational Resources

A referee's pathway Take the whistle

World Rugby Laws

Referees can benefit from various support resources to help them on their mission.

The World Rugby website is a tremendous platform informing on the laws and their variations - also including video tutorials for match officials. The exercices will build your understanding of how the laws are applied on the field of play. The laws are available in 12 languages and have specific sections on:

The playing charter – the basic principles which relate to the playing, coaching and application of law
Specific definitions which explain terminology
Each of the 21 laws
Detail on the variations for under-19, sevens and 10s
Video and still images of match official signals
Application guidelines which have been issued by World Rugby to help referees to apply specific laws
A catalogue of law clarifications whereby unions have made specific requests
Modified forms of the game such as beach, tag and 10s Rugby.

Download the > 2021 World Rugby Law Book (in English)