Charter Statement for REFEREE S.C.

Founded by Colin Arblaster in 2011, the REFEREE S.C. Charter Statement serves as our guiding principles to ensure that the development and empowerment of referees remain at the forefront of our efforts. We are committed to upholding these values and working collaboratively with clubs, league associations and state referee administrations to achieve our mission and vision for the benefit of the game and the entire refereeing community.

To foster the growth, professionalism, and advancement of referees by providing comprehensive resources, guidance, training, support, and opportunities for personal and career development.

Our vision is to create a thriving community of skilled and empowered referees who contribute to the sport's excellence. We aim to build a strong foundation for the long-term sustainability and success of officiating.

1. Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of honesty, ethics, and fair play in every aspect of officiating.

2. Excellence: We are committed to continuous improvement and excellence in referee skills, knowledge, and performance.

3. Inclusivity: We embrace diversity and ensure that opportunities for development are accessible to all.

4. Collaboration: We believe in the power of teamwork and cooperation among referees, clubs, leagues, assignors, and organizations to elevate the standard of officiating and to service the game at a heightened level..

1. Comprehensive Training: Provide and/or direct aspiring referees with top-notch training programs to build a strong foundation of the laws of the game, competition rules, game management, and communication skills.

2. Captainship, Mentorship and Coaching: Offer crew captains, mentorship and coaching opportunities for referees at all levels, fostering growth in their abilities and confidence.

3. Referee Pathways: Guide referees with clear and achievable pathways to advance their careers, from grassroots to professional levels.

4. Continual Education: Encourage and guide referees to pursue ongoing education, and skill development to stay current with the changing Laws and evolving nature of the game.

5. Fairness and Consistency: Promote uniformity in refereeing standards and consistency in decision-making through regular evaluation and feedback.

6. Opportunities for Advancement: Collaborate with organizations to provide referees with opportunities to officiate at various levels, from local leagues to international tournaments.

7. Support and Well-being: Prioritize the health and well-being of referees, offering resources for physical fitness, mental resilience, and support networks.

8. Diversity and Inclusion: Actively work to increase the diversity of referees, striving for inclusivity and equity in all aspects of officiating.

9. Public Awareness: Raise awareness of the importance of referees in sport and foster a culture of respect and admiration of their role.

1. Work under the Federations and national organizations to develop and update a comprehensive curriculum for referee training.

2. Establish a mentorship and crew captain program to connect experienced referees with newer referees.

3. Create a clear referee development pathway with opportunities to officiate at progressively higher levels.

4. Organize and/or provide information to regular workshops, seminars, and conferences to ensure continuous learning.

5. Collaborate with organizations to schedule assignments and promote referees to higher divisions.

6. Implement feedback mechanisms and assessment programs to evaluate referee performance.

7. Provide resources and support for physical fitness, mental health, and work-life balance.

8. Actively recruit and mentor referees from underrepresented groups.

9. Promote the importance of referees through marketing campaigns and educational initiatives.

We hold ourselves accountable for achieving the objectives outlined in this charter statement by regularly evaluating our progress, seeking feedback, and making necessary adjustments to ensure the continual growth and development of referees.