Referee Communications
Communication is integral to the smooth and effective running of any team. This is particularly so for referees during matches. The technology in place to enable match referees to talk to and hear their assistant referees, their sideline officials and their TMO must be fit for purpose. This includes making sure that:
- The sound quality is as good as possible. This is affected by both the microphones used and the earpieces worn by all officials.
- The range of coverage is sufficient to enable all officials, irrespective of where they are located, to hear and be heard.
- Integration with other delivery providers is possible, these could be broadcast, fan engagement or other listen-in services.
- If something goes wrong then there is redundancy to correct it or to take steps to minimise its impact.
World Rugby Approved Providers
World Rugby have identified five companies who are World Rugby Approved to deliver Referee Communications services at their tournaments. These companies are hugely experienced at delivering these and other services at major sporting events and have the technical equipment and skills to make sure that the match officials are supported in their roles.
- Gravity Media
- Mongey
- Murray Tregonning
SoundSure
SoundSure CC provides specialist match official audio communication systems for international sporting events. Established in 1996, the company utilises the latest technology, along with innovative design solutions, to facilitate clear, uninterrupted and seamless audio communications between match officials and, where required, integration with the official television broadcaster. SoundSure’s team of highly skilled professionals, with their extensive knowledge, technical expertise and combined experience of more than 100 years, deliver a customised and unparalleled communications solution for tournaments where exceptional world-class audio is critical to their success. Furthermore, the development of the RefMic App allows spectators both at the venues and worldwide to listen to the referee communications with a signal latency of less than one second. Successful tournaments across six continents include the 2016, 2020 (2021) and 2024 Olympic Games (Rugby 7s), the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and various World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy plus the HSBC Challenger 7s Series tournaments, and HSBC Rugby 7s tournaments.
- VME
World Rugby are working on a definitive requirement to enable other providers to demonstrate that they can meet the same levels of service and achieve the World Rugby Approved mark.
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FUTURE Work – Comparison
World Rugby recognises that not all rugby matches have the need or capacity to deliver Referee Communications to the level required at their matches. As a result, World Rugby is intending to review the main standalone systems on the market to give some guidance in the following areas. The intention is also to give an easy guide of how other systems can be assessed for suitability for individual use cases.
