As Chair of the society, I want to welcome everyone to the SRUSR website. We are currently in the process of adding and revising the information contained in the website for not only our existing membership, but also as an introduction to anyone seeking to make a contribution to Rugby in Staffordshire through the society, whether it is as a society referee, club referee or in a support role as a club ‘watcher’ or a MOD (Match Official Developer).
As you will see from our Society President’s entertaining history of the society, we have always striven to help our referees to achieve their goals and the name of SRUSR is known and respected not just in Staffordshire and Midlands Group, but nationally, and this applies, I hope, to our contribution both on- and off-field. We may be small in number (as noted scribbler Bill Shakespeare wrote: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”), but we are big in ambition and warm in welcome.
It is my hope that the website also becomes a valuable source of information to players and coaches – we referees would actually prefer to not have to blow our whistle so frequently! Our skilled Training & Development team work hard to improve refereeing standards through effective Game Management but my maxim of –
Better knowledge – Better Decisions – Better Rugby
applies equally to referees AND players. Let’s hope that the website leads to you contacting the society and attending one of our monthly meetings or as a club arranging an informal ‘Meet the Ref’ get-together at their club.
As I have said elsewhere, whatever your age, gender, background or playing ability, whatever your aspirations are as a referee or watcher/MOD, you will find that SRUSR will give you the opportunity to achieve them.
My best wishes
Paul Daniels
Chair, SRUSR
