The big news this week is SA Rugby’s announcement that franchise teams will resume full contact training as from next week. This is one step closer to match action, for which we hope to see an announcement soon. Our professional players have in the meantime stayed active with non-contact training. We await further announcements on return to competition.
Our clubs have begun the enrolment process for the forthcoming workshops which begins with the first module on 1 September. Super League A and B are first in the queue with four sessions spread over approximately four months. Each session happens online on Tuesdays from 7 pm to 8 pm.
The modules have deliberately been kept to only one hour to preserve data and allow for a more focussed approach. The modules are designed in such a manner that once the first module is completed the attendants can then return to their club structures to implement the learnings ready for the second module.
Each club can sign up to as many as three candidates from their club which allows for deeper education at club level and will see more members certified after completion. Much like we currently see coaches and referees certified by WP Rugby, this model now provides that candidates will in future be able to join other club structures as certified WP Rugby marketeers.
Our WP Rugby referee recruitment continues and clubs are reminded to nominate a minimum of two delegates to join the WP Rugby referees structures. There are currently two options, these being Standby Referees who will be available and appointed to their club’s home games and Active Referees which are registered members of the Western Province Rugby Referee Society (WPRRS) and graded according to their fitness and exam marks.
Applicants are reminded to complete the pre-requisite courses in preparation of the World Rugby Level 1 course on the World Rugby website, the courses are 1. Rugby Ready, 2. Introduction to Rugby Refereeing, 3.Laws of the Game and 4. COVID19 Return to Play. Once the course is completed a certificate is generated, this certificate needs to be sent to recruitmentrefs@wprugby.co.za
The tentative dates for World Rugby Referees courses are as follows
- Level 1 course on 17 October 2020
- Level 1 course on 24 October 2020
- Level 1 course on 14 November 2020
- Level 1 course on 21 November 2020
Joining the referee’s structure is a fantastic way to serve your club and stay involved in the game of rugby. Candidates are required to complete the laws exam which is free on the world rugby website and thereafter the BokSmart programme.
Each course attendee receives a Video-based instructional set, together with a BokSmart Toolkit manual, which covers all the essential points on paper, and a Concussion guide, that would assist coaches and referees on-field to make appropriate decisions.
Coach Jerome Paarwater and his team this week had DHL Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlongwane present to our coaches on the WP Rugby 2.5 course with a big focus on ball contestation and next week sees the course focus on sports psychology.