As we all know the game of Rugby League wouldn't be able to function without the input of a match official.

The game as a whole, from juniors to Super League needs to have a third 'team' on the pitch to look after the game and the players during play. Taking up the whistle as a Rugby League match official doesn't involve lots of courses and boring classroom sessions as it did in the past, nowadays there is an easier way of gaining the skills required to become a fully qualified match official.

The normal path to becoming qualified is to find a course that is either being run by the RFL, these can be found on The RFL website.  The Southern Rugby League Referees Society SRLRS is always on the lookout for new officials to support the ever expanding game in the South. Once qualified, our officials officiate in a wide variety of competitions including:

WCAM London Mini, Junior and Youth League, Co-Operative Rugby League Conference, Student Rugby League and the Gillette Conference Youth League.

Our more senior officials are involved in the engage Super League, Carnegie Challenge Cup, Co-Operative Championship, Northern Rail Cup and the SL Academy Leagues. There are also opportunities for officials in National and International representative games.

Once you pass your course, you will be helped along by the society development team who will guide you using their combined experience and help you become the best match official possible.

To become a referee could not be simpler and you will be supported from the day you first engage as a match official right through to the day you retire.

How to become a match official:

1) The entry level course to become a referee is called the match officials foundation course. Enrol and attend a course, all courses will be published on the RFL website, this site also lists courses outside the London RL region. Registration forms are available by clicking here.

2) Join your local match officials society. They will look after you as an official and provide support and development. Joining a society also means you are fully covered should anything go wrong.

3) Referee or Touch Judge your first game

For more information contact the Match Officials Development Officer, Danny McNeice on danny.mcneice@rfl.uk.com or 07775 022800