A referee has arguably the best seat in the house. Right in the heart of the action they see the mud flick up from a winger’s boot sprinting down the sideline, they feel the heat emanate off a powerful scrum and they’re the first one to acknowledge a match winning try.

Off the back of a successful increase of referee recruitment in 2025, Canterbury Rugby Union are launching a new campaign, to assist this year’s new recruits with finding their feet.

While players on the field are learning and perfecting their craft, so too are the referees and to give an extra layer of support for the women and men in the middle, Canterbury Rugby are initiating a Green Shirt for those officiating for the first time.

Making first year referees clearly identifiable was brought into Otago Rugby Football Union in 2024, with great results in reduction of sideline abuse and giving referees a more positive experience. After discussions with ORFU, Allan Stead Canterbury Rugby Game Developer – Match Officials, is confident Cantabrians can bring in similar results for their grass roots games. “People are drawn to refereeing for many reasons — to give back to the game, to stay involved, or simply because they enjoy rugby” says Stead, “some referees who choose not to continue, the decision often comes down to one or two negative incidents early in their journey. As a Club, we want our new referees not only to succeed, but to enjoy what they do and feel supported while they learn”.

Giving a clear indication to players and sideline supporters that a new referee is on the field will act as a reminder to everyone involved the standards of behaviour to be expected in club rugby.

Senior referees who have continued to return for many years, have praised the new campaign, “There's been a lot of comments about wishing they'd had it when they started” said Stead, “There's been a couple joking that they wish they could wear it during a senior game now. The whole feedback has been really positive.”

Heading into her second year of refereeing in North Canterbury, Karen Humm is looking forwards to the support it will provide for first time refs, “It’s a fantastic idea for new referees and players / parents alike. A safety net to ensure that new refs are given the space to learn and ability to grow their knowledge. It also provides an understanding to the players / parents that the ref is learning so they can be supportive and positive in their interactions”.

With last year’s successful intake and a steadily growing number for 2026, Stead’s focus is on retention, “the good thing is there's different opportunities. You don't have to be the person in the middle, you can be a fourth official, an AR [assistant referee], or a coach”.

Canterbury Referees are coming in from a wide variety of backgrounds, from past players, students of “Make the Call” programmes in High Schools to soccer referees, each one paired with a mentor and coach that guides them with both the physical and mental ability it takes to control safe and secure games. A huge support network is in place to help from signing on to each post match breakdown.

For Hayden Blackford, 35, joining the squad of 145 referees across Canterbury Rugby last year was his way of becoming involved in a sport he loved, “I've always been a rugby nut, but I stopped playing when I was 16 or 17 to take other sports more seriously. I wanted to get involved and enjoy the sport again.

“It’s so easy because you get all the kit sent to you, and the team is such a well-oiled machine. You get told where you are, and you've got a coach who teaches you and gives you feedback at halftime. I thought, ‘Geez, that's bloody awesome!’ Having your own coach is pretty intense. I don't know many sports that get that level of structure”.

Don’t let your passion and rugby knowledge go to waste on the sidelines this season, reach out to Allan Stead today, learn the craft of refereeing and get yourself the best seat in the house.