Your first match can seem a little bit daunting at first. It's vital that you arrive prepared and ready for the challenges ahead!

Remember, not only are you representing your Referees' Society and the Rugby Football League but most importantly yourself!

• Make sure you have your kit clean and ready to go! Double check that you have packed everything that you need for Matchday
• Have you been contacted by the home team to confirm the match? If they haven't contacted you within the allowed time slot then you need to let the relevant league officials know. Don't turn up to a match without confirmation
• Do the home and away teams have contrasting colours? Will there be a clash of colours? It is the away team's responsibility to change their kit if this is the case
• What time is Kick-Off? How long will it take you to get to the venue? Always allow extra time in case of traffic, roadworks etc.

PRE-MATCH

• Be presentable - Wear an  RFL t-shirt or Society t-shirt with tracksuit bottoms (it is advised against wearing club-branded clothing). Alternatively, a shirt and trousers would be acceptable
• Arrive at the venue at least 1 HOUR prior to kick off
• Find the home team coach and introduce yourself, they should then show you to your changing room
• Change into your kit (which must be neutral to the teams' kits)
• Obtain the team sheet and leave it safely in the changing room prior to kick off (for Student Rugby League matches the referee is expected to take a team sheet with them to the match)
• Go out to the field and check it to make sure the post protectors are in place and have sufficient padding, there are no objects on the field and the corner posts are in place
• Warm-up after your pitch inspection
• Carry out a kit check on both teams - Check that boots studs pose no danger, protective gear is not too hard, nails are not sharp or long and any bandaging between the thumb and fingers is cut

MATCH TIME

• Get the teams on the field AT LEAST 5 minutes prior to kick off
• Blow your whistle to get the two captains to the centre of the field
• Toss the coin - The loser kicks to the team winning the coin toss and the losing team choose which end they want to defend
• Maintain profesionalism at all times. Match Officials that are cool, calm and collective gain the most respect from the players

POST MATCH

• Shake hands with the players and coaches (if they want to)
• Fill in the team sheet with the final score, sin-bins, dismissals, injuries and sign it to confirm all of the details are correct
• Copy any details from the team sheet that you may need for any reports you may have to fill out
• Confirm any sin-bins, dismissals and any injuries with the relevant coach (if appropriate)
• Return the team sheet to the home team coach (for Student Rugby League matches, the referee is to keep the team sheet and return it to the SRL)
• Collect your match expenses (to be paid by the home team)

• Dismissal, Brawl and Abandonment reports are to be completed and sent to the relevant league officials and club within 3 DAYS of the match
• You must use the correct form and send it to the appropriate officer. The most up to date forms and contact details can be found by following the links on the right of this page. (Due to a minor technical fault the links to the forms may not be visible if you use Internet Explorer. Our apologies for this, but in the meantime they can be viewed using other internet viewers such as Fire fox)

It is advised that any reports you are required to complete are completed early and sent to your society Development Officer to check over before you send it off.