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Today, I'm joined by Natarsha Ganley from New Zealand to chat about her rise from newbie to Rugby World Cup referee. We chat about her starting story, her new day job, her referee career to date, overcoming injury at a crucial point in the selection cycle, and her RWC experiences. We also chat about what's next, including how she's heading north for three months in 2026 to gain refereeing experience in England's PWR league. If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

Today, we're joined by Jonny Cartwright, who you may know as The_Bald_Ref on Instagram. He's just been recognised as Loosehead Of the Year 2025 at the Looseheadz Community Awards. We talk about: Jonny's journey from coach to refereeHow he develops referees in his role as T&D lead in Manchester & District Referees (MADRefs)How Looseheadz is and how he got into supporting them (trigger warning)#WaffleWednesdayHis officiating at the World Record rugby matches in Ireland earlier in 2025How he got into trouble for calling out clubs on Instagram when they fail to respect refereesThe effect that has on referee resilience and mental health of match officials Resources & Links: Jonny on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_bald_ref/ LooseHeadz: https://looseheadz.co.uk/ LH help and support: https://looseheadz.co.uk/help-and-support/ Previous episodes covering mental health and resilience subjects in rugby and refereeing - Nick Marshall and Tim Wyatt If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

Hi, it's Keith here and after numerous prods from you, dear listeners, it was time to get the recording device out once again. Bit of a catch up on a few things in today's episode: Women's RWC match officiatingRefereeing a foul play scenario after a try Charging down a Try Line Drop outRefereeing the new open play pod liftA tricky situation for me with a piece of player equipment Relevant links: RugbyReferee.net Open play pod lift article World Rugby approved devices list Rezon Halos - may well be a great product but not approved for use in matches yet - see their FAQ page If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

In this episode, Keith talks through the announcement from World Rugby following the Council meeting on 14 November which agreed to the introduction of four Global Law Trials for new competitions/leagues after 1 January 2025. References to "previous episodes" relate to Episode 40: Ep 40 - What is going on with laws and law changes at World Rugby? We talk about: Quicker conversionsA new set time to form a lineout (in line with 30 seconds at the scrum)Cleaner play away from the ruck/maul/scrumNot straight at uncontested lineout = play on The following were not approved for progression One stop maulMark from a kick off/restart20 minute red card replacement - decision deferred to 2025 Plus two new approved TMO protocols. For full law wordings, and download links to TMO protocols you can visit: https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/laws-news/global-law-trials-1-january-2025/ If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Twitter: RugbyRefereenet Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

This episode is all about you and something I've created for you. It's the sort of thing that I never knew I needed, but now it's a real, physical thing, Im hoping it helps you and your refereeing. It can be a solitary life as a referee - often travelling on our own to matches, not seeing any advisers/coaches every week, and only monthly meetings with our peers. So how can we help you think positively about your refereeing and your progress? This is where the Journal comes in. This has all the crib sheets, tick lists, advice, prep you need to help record your season and your refereeing. It's the place you can prepare for, and then analyse your performances through the season. Keith explains how the journal came about, what's in it, and of course, where you can buy one (TLDR: rugbyreferee.net/journal - price £18.50) What's in it? Place to set your season goalsPlace to record your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, ThreatsA checklist for your kitbag,A crib sheet to help you create your AR brief,A place to track your fitness tests through a season.And a season long Match Day Focus area - what are your big picture focus areas for each game area - Tackle, Ruck/Maul, Scrums, Lineout, Space, Safety/FP, Comms, Management. And then of course, as it's a journal, it has a place for you to prep and review all your matches through the season! It has a calendar for the next few years, and then the meaty bit - the season-long journal There's a monthly calendar sheets and then 4x match pages. For each match there's three key elements Prep page - all the things you need to get hold of and think about before your next match - colours, league positions, their form, Captains name if know, who your ARs and or Ref Coach/Reviewer. A place for logistics - directions, times, travel etc Any issues from last time/weekend to bring forward, and some focus areas for the matchMatch day check in - a chance just to use the journal to get your head in the game. There's prompts to ask say how you're feeling, to remind yourself what you want from the game, how you want to feel when you get home, and set some projections for what you want to do in the game. It's open ended and multi-interpretational. "In my refereeing today, I'm going to....."Match review - chance to record the match data, score, pens, cards, any fitness data you might have trackedSome simple quick game reflections on how you felt each area went3 things that went wellfeedback points from othersAny reflections from your prep page focus areas and then a section for overall reflections and work ons.And there's four of those sets of pages in each calendar month and 10 months to cover - so that'll help you with 40 matches sets. Some of you may not need that, some may need to tell me you want more in the next iteration of it! I'd love to know what you think. All together, that's 178 pages of journal goodness, with a hard back and front and with sturdy wire binding. I wanted this to be strong enough to get you through a season of it being in and out of kitbags, cars, backpacks. So it's a quality item that will, hopefully last. The good news is, Ive got a batch in stock now, and if that sounds like something that will help your refereeing, then you can head to rugbyreferee.net/journal for a little more info, or if you're ready to buy it right now - rugbyrefereejournal.net saves you a click and takes to you the buying page! Do your thing and I'll get one in the post to you straight away! The buying pages has options for different currencies, and we can ship

A walk through the law change proposals coming out of World Rugby in recent weeks. What is going on? What will actually change?  And when?  In today's episode, I will walk through where this law chat has come from, the importance of World Rugby's Shape of the Game meetings and all the elements that are flowing from that event held at the end of February 2024.  More information mentioned in the episode:  1) World Rugby press release: Shape of the Game meeting. 29 February 2024 2) WR Press release 2 - World Rugby reveals phased plan to enhance rugby’s global appeal 3) Law Application Guideline: March 2024 - Reinforcement of current law Also - Laws and the change programme were discussed in the WR Player Welfare & Laws Symposium held on Monday 8 April. You can watch the session here If you're a match official, please do come and join our RugbyReferee.net Facebook Community  And if you appreciate this podcast, please do buy me a coffee to say thanks! Feedback always welcome: [email protected]  or come and find us on social media usually at the @rugbyrefereenet handle

Today, I walk through some great tips for all those rugby coaches out there who have to take charge of a match as a referee. Are you a Coach with a Whistle (TM), rather than a rugby referee? Maybe you're a reluctant ref - a volunteer being thrust forward because you had too much to say during a match? Maybe you just didn't avoid eye contact quickly enough when your parents group were asked for help? Or maybe you're just starting to think that you might want to give refereeing a go! Well, firstly THANK YOU!  Especially if you're the former, we know you’ve already given up so much of your spare time to dedicate to the kids under your charge. To cajole them from the proper littlies, through tag and into tackling rugby. That takes some doing and we know just how many of you are out there doing an awesome job. We all appreciate that. If you're any of the latter, THANK YOU too! It's not easy to make those first steps, whatever reason sits behind it. And, as the kids get older, the games of rugby they play get better, more structured, more… well.. rugby like. And so they need refereeing more too. Our goal is to "Make rugby better - By making better referees", so here's six tips  to help make rugby better for the kids in your matches. Tweak your mindset - We'd encourage you to shift  your mindset from one where you’re approaching the game 'because no one else will do it', to one where you’re approaching a game 'to enhance the experience of the kids who are playing in it.' It's a subtle shift but how you approach that match and how you're seen to approach it, will then be very different. We want kids to keep turning up on a Sunday (and Wednesday), and staying involved in rugby. The experience they get through these formative years is crucial, and a slight mindshift when it comes to the whistle blower, might just help them (and you)Confidence - Take the confidence you have as a coach onto the field.  You have no problems telling and showing players what to do. Do the same as a referee.  Do anything  with confidence, they'll believe you!  You can explain tackle drills easily, tactical plans with comfort, and come with an explain  lineout calls with superheroes/travel modes with ease - take those skills onto the field when you have a whistle! Half the 'sell' to everyone is the blag! Even if you don't believe it deep down, they won't notice if you do it confidentlyCommunicate - You're a coach - so you can communicate already! Just take that with you when you referee. Short simple phrases to players on the field will get them to do what you want/needLook the part! When was the last time you watched a game where the referee was wearing an untucked shirt, muddy tracksuit, or odd coloured socks round their ankles?? Just make a bit of an effort to look like the referee when you’re on a field refereeing a game. Not saying you need to get a replica RWC referees shirt - just find a neutral top (pref one without your club logo/emblem on it) that will make you look and feel more neutral. That'll rub off on everyone else. Get a good whistle!!  If you’re using a crappy whistle that you won in a Christmas cracker put it in the bin (or use it to train the dog!) Please get the proper whistle - Im not sponsored or supported by them in any way, but a good old trusty, solid Acme Thunder of some type are my go to - and then, for the love of God, blow it properly!  The difference the noise makes in the different way you can blow it will definitely make the game better experience. I know it sounds really silly but a simple blown whistle well can make a huge difference to everybody around who’s watching that game and being involved in it. [Edit: Since I wrote/said this, the kind people at Acme have given a...

Today, we're joined by Graeme Bloom - a unique person in the rugby refereeing community. Graeme's a keen supporter of match officials and, despite an MND diagnosis in 2019, he remains committed to staying involved in refereeing our great game. During the conversation we hear about his story and his ambitions to be a referee. We hear a little about his experiences in match officiating so far around the world. We also chat about what he's done since his diagnosis, and what he'd like to be doing while he's able. He's been a match official in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh and in Italy, as well as supporting referees in London, Oxfordshire, Bristol and Kent Referees' Societies. This weekend (12 August 2023) he arranged and hosted a charity match raising funds for the MND Association. Do support them if you're able. Links: Graeme - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graemebloom/ Fundraiser website: https://www.rugby4mnd.co.uk/ Fundraiser link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/graemes-big-40-challenge  During the conversation we mention: Alex Lambe - Rugby referee with Autism: https://www.world.rugby/news/569717 & https://www.facebook.com/AutismInRugby/ Mixed Ability sport - https://www.mixedabilitysports.org/  International Mixed Ability Rugby - Cork 2022 - https://www.imartworldcup.org/  And some helpful resources to help understand Autism and Aspergers, and how we might communicate with players https://www.healthline.com/health/aspergers-symptoms-in-adults#takeawayhttps://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/communication/tips If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Twitter: RugbyRefereenet Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

Hi, Keith Lewis from RugbyReferee.net here with a general update on refereeing news! Plenty to chat about from the referees and refereeing world at the moment! In this episode, I walk through: 1) New formal Law clarification - grounding on a thing in in-goal 2) Law issues Loose ball brought to ground is classed as "held/holding" 2012 Clarification "The player is considered to be carrying the ball as the ball is in the air when it is first played"SuperSport discussion: Laws: Scoring from in in-goal - 8.2e: A try is scored when an attacking player: Who is in touch or touch-in-goal, grounds the ball in the opponents’ in-goal provided the player is not holding the ball and then again in 21.9 - If a player is in touch or touch-in-goal, they can make a touch down or score a try by grounding the ball in in-goal provided they are not holding the ball. Tackle law around the goal line Tackle law - https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/law/13Let me know your views on how the law could be changed (if at all) at [email protected] 3) Appointments Rugby World Cup 23 officials U20s Championship & Trophy officials 4) Smart ball - Full story here 5) Tackle height news:  World Rugby confirm lower tackle height opt-in global law trial Ireland - Rugbyreferee.net story England - RFU Tackle Height Hub Scotland - SRU Tackle Height Hub New Zealand - Rugby Toolbox tackle hub - I reference the podcast chat with Mike Hester from NZRU - you can either scroll back through the other episodes, or head here. Like...

Today, I'm joined by New Zealand Rugby's Mike Hester to chat about their law variations for the 2023 rugby season. They include a lower tackle height, a restriction on scrum halves and for the pack as a whole. All three are important for all referees and match officials across Aotearoa. Mike is NZR's Game Participation Manager, and he tells me about: His background as an elite referee - in football!His shift into game participationThe shape of New Zealand rugby and the challenges they faceThe tackle height changes in New Zealand for 2023 and what's behind themOther changes in the game - scrum half restrictions, 1.5m pushFuture consultation on changes to the breakdownReferee recruitment and retention in NZ - this is the research Mike mentions about the early refereeing experience of community referees More on the changes: New Zealand Rugby game innovations 2023 Contact Mike via LinkedIn If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Twitter: RugbyRefereenet Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

It's a Happy New Year to you all! Today, Keith Lewis, founder of RugbyReferee.net and host of the Advantage Over podcast talks through a new World Rugby 2023 Law Application Guideline for 2023. While much of it is targetted at the elite end of the game, the principles within it covers all of rugby no matter what level we're refereeing! So we need to be aware of the drive by World Rugby in these areas. The episode covers the six areas in the new Law Application Guideline (the link here includes some video clips) 1)    Speeding up the game I reference ball-in-play data from StatsPerform: https://www.statsperform.com/resource/revolutionising-rugby-a-statistical-analysis-on-how-the-game-has-evolved/ 2)    TMO usage 3)    Water carriers 4)    Negative player actions 5)    Players on the ground 6)    Deliberate Knock ons The blog version of this episode is at: https://rugbyreferee.net/2022/12/30/speeding-up-the-game-in-2023-world-rugby-law-application-guideline-issued/ If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Twitter: RugbyRefereenet Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

Today, it's a solo episode with Keith talking through all the new law changes and amends that have now come into play from 1 July 2022. In summary, Keith talks about All the Global Law Trials from last season which move into full lawTwo new GLTs – scrum brake foot, and restrictions on medics/water carriersSome minor wording where there have had to be a formal clarifications in law in recent yearsMinor amends following Union, player and match officials feedbackUpdated TMO protocol (download a copy here) Some good videos at https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/global-law-trials showing the scrum brake foot and water carrier poor behaviour You can also view and download the law changes summary document at: https://rugbyreferee.net/2022/07/01/law-changes-come-into-play/ Like what you heard? Buy Keith a coffee here If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Twitter: RugbyRefereenet Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

Today, we're joined by Tim Wyatt, a Sport and Exercise Psychologist (in training) to chat about... well.. sport and psychology! Especially for us as rugby referees. We chatted about identifying your own values for refereeing, and then how we prep for a game, cope during the game, and finally the importance of reflection. The article to go with this can be found at: https://rugbyreferee.net/2022/06/28/mental-skills-for-refereeing/ ------------------------------------------------ You can find Tim at: Website: https://www.timwyattpsychology.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TimWyattPsych LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-wyatt Email: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------ Enjoy the Advantage Over podcast? Well, you can buy me a coffee at rugbyreferee.net/coffee ------------------------------------------------ If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Twitter: RugbyRefereenet Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

Today, it's a solo episode looking at the one of the less pleasant sides of our game - the general increase in angst and poor behaviour on and around the rugby field. We have a look into how to manage and deal with these types of situations, whether it's players baiting each other, angsty touch judges, coaches, replacements and spectators. There's some helpful lines and approaches that we have discussed in our referee community group, so my thanks to those who contributed their thoughts and experiences. I hope you can take something from the episdoe - even if you disagree with some it. There's no monopoly on the correct approach, and as Keith says, what works for him, may not work for you. If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at [email protected]! You can follow us here: Twitter: RugbyRefereenet Instagram: RugbyRefereenet Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

I'm joined by Andrew Macpherson, now the High Performance Match Official Manager from Scottish Rugby to talk about their new three year Refereeing and Match Official Development Strategy We chat about: Why there's been a 17 year gap between Scottish international refereesThe new Match Official Strategy and how it'll help reduce the 17 year gap before the next oneHow to attract referees up and down the rugby pyramidCreating CPD for referees - and accrediting new trainersHow great referees need great referee coachingHow Scotland aim to increase the number and diversity of officials but also to improve retention rates at all levels of the game.Bringing in skills expertise outside of rugby to help referees develop You can connect with Andy on LinkedIn here If you like what you've heard, and you want to support the Advantage Over podcast, you can buy us a coffee. Head to rugbyreferee.net/coffee