Get into Officiating

GBWR official teaches newer officials about their role as a table official.
Credit: Anthony Hayton
Register your interest to become a referee or table official

GBWR are always on the lookout for individuals who are interested in becoming referees and table officials. Officials are vital for wheelchair rugby to take place and becoming one can be a rewarding and challenging alternative or accompaniment to playing or coaching.

If you are interested in becoming either a referee or table official (or both!) then please get in touch with GBWR’s Workforce Development Officer, Jaz Thompson – jaz.thompson@gbwr.org.uk, who will be able to assit you further to follow the pathways mentioned below.

Officiating

Wheelchair rugby is a fast and dynamic contact sport, with each game requiring a team of officials to control, score and time the games.

There are two main roles in officiating: table official and referee.

Table officials are court side and have specific roles to focus on throughout the game. Each game requires four table officials, each with their own individual roles. The roles are:

  • timekeeper, who is in control of the game clock, including stoppages, such as time-outs and equipment calls
  • scorekeeper, who is responsible for documenting all statistics on the game, including trys scored and time-outs taken
  • forty second clock operator, whose job throughout the game is to continuously reset the forty second clock every time the ball changes possession
  • penalty timekeeper, who is responsible for managing players who enter the penalty bin due to a foul

Each game requires two referees on court at the same time, allowing them to see and control all aspects of the game, including try scoring, fouls and violations.

All six officials must work collectively as a team, communicating information back and forth to ensure that the game is played safely and within the rules.

Table Official Pathway

 

 

For more information on each level of the Table Officials pathway, including pre-requisites and eligible events, see the Table Officials Pathway document here.

Referee Pathway

For more information on each level of the Table Officials pathway, including pre-requisites and eligible events, see the Referee Pathway document here.

More Information

  • Fast Track Refree Academy

    Referees can apply online to take part in the programme, and we will publicise here when we are accepting applications for the next Fast Track Referee Academy.

    Applications for the Fast Track Referee Academy
    Applications are currently closed for the Fast Track Referee Academy

    The Fast Track Referee Academy provides a fast-track training programme for existing referees and referees new to the sport, to move rapidly through the referee development pathway to Levels 2 and 3.  The outcome for the programme is to train a group of referees who are able to support at the higher level of competitions that GBWR host.

    Trainees will complete six training modules, which will cover the following topics: game administration, timing regulations, contact situations, on-court violations, referee mechanics, and technical infractions.

    These modules will be delivered across three individual training weekends, which will be held alongside competition or Talent events. The training days will be a mix of theory-based classroom activity and practical observation. All trainees will be supported to progress along the referee development pathway, completing their Level 1, 2 and 3 assessments. Referees will also be provided with a personal development plan and mentored through their practical development.

    Participants will receive a polo shirt, referee’s top, a whistle, and notepad, as well as a joining information pack providing lots of background information.

    The training programme is free of charge, but participants will need to commit to attend the three training weekends and to take part in a minimum of ten games, which will be facilitated at Super Series events, regional league events and WR5s events.

    Expenses will be paid for the three specific training events and refereeing at GBWR competition events. This will include travel, accommodation, evening meals and refreshments, as per the GBWR expenses policy for officials.

    Participants are required to have one of the following:

    • Basic refereeing experience in a wheelchair rugby club and desire to progress quickly to Level 2 or 3
    • Experience of refereeing in a similar sport e.g. wheelchair basketball
    • Experience of refereeing at Super Series Division 3 events

    Participants are also required to:

    • be at least 16 years of age
    • 16 to 18-year-olds will require parental consent and attendance at training weekends
    • be abhttps://volunteer.gbwr.org.uk/index-classicle to communicate effectively in English
    • be appropriately identified
    • have a current UK Coaching Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults certificate   
  • Expense Claims

    GBWR supports officials by reimbursing travel expenses, and providing meals and accommodation during sanctioned events – what will be reimbursed is outlined in our policy:

    Workforce policy: expenses

  • Membership

    When officiating in wheelchair rugby, you’ll need to register for GBWR Membership – find out more about how to register for Membership, along with its benefits, and the rules and Codes of Conduct.