SITUATION VACANT – IS THIS YOUR DREAM VOCATION?

A  prestigious job at Twickenham has been advertised.

Fancy a new job, change of career perhaps, an opportunity to have an influence on refereeing? Read on, this may be just for you:-

“The Rugby Football Union is looking for a Head of Professional Game Match Officials to ensure the performance and development of officiating talent. This is a new and exciting role which would suit a candidate who is eager to implement, manage and direct all aspects of match officials development strategy.”         Richard Cockerill, for one, need not apply.

The title may have been amended but, if successful, you would be following in the distinguished footsteps of Colin High and Ed Morrison, both former International Panel referees. Colin retired gracefully from the post in 2004, Ed less so on the eve of the current season. During his reign the focus was exclusively on elite development, comprising the Championship (level 2) and all rugby above that. When the job was first conceived the national leagues up to and including level 4 were covered but as the responsibilities rapidly increased out of all proportion it was only a matter of time before an ‘Elite Referee Department’ was created.

Any referee talented enough to have been involved in the last five years has been able to benefit from a first class support network: coaching, assessment, medical back up and a whole range of changes which have led to a genuinely ‘Professional’ set up. The downside, which is why I was reluctant to add “lucky enough,” is the relentless pressure from the demands of travel, training and meetings before having to deal with the mentality of players and coaches, 2013 model, at the weekend. There are just seven full time referees employed by the RFU at the moment who can devote every waking minute to rugby; not so for all the other officials operating in the Aviva Premiership and Championship who are still combining their rugby duties with the ‘day job,’ many relying heavily on the goodwill of their employers.  

Amidst the job speak in the advertised specification for this supreme role at HQ you will find “The successful candidate will also possess demonstrable leadership experience in a complicated and multi-disciplinary environment and have a proven track record of managing complex stakeholder relationships (internal and external ) with the ability to communicate effectively throughout.”

That jargon could well have been replaced by some more age old clichés “Applicants should have the patience of Job, wisdom of Solomon . . . .and the thick skin of an elephant.” Closing date by the way is November 22nd so you might have to get that CV quickly sorted. If you are reading this some time later, better luck next time.

David Matthews