Rugby is far more than simply playing the game, but some people yearn to be out there on the pitch. One great way to extend your involvement in the action, or get involved for the first time, is to referee. 

The Role of a Referee

Whatever the level, every match is under the control of the referee and two assistant referees. Beyond recreational rugby there may be other officials behind the scenes such as a time keeper or television match officials, but ultimately the person with the whistle is in charge of the match. Refereeing is not easy, but can be hugely rewarding. It’s a great way to exercise, have fun and test yourself. 

Getting started in Match Officiating

Most people who become match officials have played the game themselves and are looking to give something back, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. Anyone can learn refereeing, even from a young age. In fact, for anyone aiming to go far in refereeing, starting young is a good idea.

To become a qualified match official, start by asking your club, regional body or national union about training courses near you. World Rugby provides courses for all levels of participant, from novice through to experienced match official. A basic level training course can be completed in as little as a single day. With the added game sense that comes through exposure as a player, spectator or budding referee, you can soon be on the road to full officiating.

Rugby Dreams

When Hollie Davidson realised that her dream of playing for Scotland wasn’t to be, she closed the door on a successful corporate career in finance to become a referee.

Within just a few years, she had refereed the finals of both the Rugby World Cup Sevens and Rugby World Cup 2021. With a CV including many ‘firsts’, Hollie has not only reached the top of the women’s game, but is also a trailblazer in the men’s game, as you'll discover in this video.

Case study: Ano Kuwai

Ano Kuwai recently became the first person to play and officiate rugby at an Olympic Games. Kuwai first picked up an oval ball in 2012, while a physical education student at Chukyo University, and set herself the target of playing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Having made her World Rugby Sevens Series debut in Guangzhou in March 2013, she went on to start all five matches as Japan finished 10th at the Deodoro Stadium in Rio three years later. Her name is forever written in history as Japan’s first try-scorer on the Olympic stage, crossing the line in their third match against hosts Brazil. In December 2016, Kuwai made her sole test appearance as a replacement during Japan’s 55-0 defeat of Fiji in the Asia/Oceania qualifiers for Rugby World Cup 2017 in Hong Kong. Her final match on the World Series came 18 months later, in Paris in June 2018, and after stepping away from playing she turned her attention to refereeing two years ago as a means of returning to the Olympics.

Since picking up a whistle, Kuwai has travelled the world and spent two months in Hertfordshire, England, refereeing tournaments and studying. In April 2023, Kuwai refereed her first match on the HSBC Series and she refereed her first test on 21 October, 2023, when Ireland beat Colombia in WXV 3 in Dubai. 

Away from refereeing, Kuwai was part of the commentary team for coverage of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 and Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 on Japanese television.