Welcome
WHAT'S NEW: 6 May 2008

  • New Phone number for all re-appointments:

    Use this number to reach any reappointments person:

    05602 406434

  • London's Oldest Rugby Clubs by Dick Tyson



    We mentioned this book, which has been a project of Dick's for many years now, earlier in the year and I'm glad to announce that it is finally here.

    The book is an excellent resourse to the history of rugby in London, and includes information about our society too.

    I can tell you how excellent it is as I have already purchased and read the book, and I am very glad I did.

    If any of our members would like to purchase a copy they can do so two ways. Either email Dick Tyson ( dicktyson@onetel.com) with your details and pay using cheque or paypal, or buy it from Amazon (Link straight to it).

    If you buy from Dick he is happy to put a dedication into the book for you, this would make a perfect gift for anyone who is as into rugby as we are!

    I'm sure you'll find it as enjoyable as I did.

    Click here to see some more information

    Robert Burns

  • South West Region Newsletter

    The latest edition of the SWwhistler is now on the site and can be found in the South West Region's area of the site.

  • West Region Newsletter

    The latest edition of the West Regions Newsletter is now on the site and can be found in the West Region's area of the site.

  • Webmaster back in contact


    Ladies and gents of the London Society, I'm glad to say that almost 5 months after moving I now have proper internet access again and will be brining the site back to having current news.

    If you have iny information you would like added to the site, please send it to me using the links.

    Hope you all had a great Christmas & New Year and I'll talk to many of you soon.


    Robert Burns


  • A Final Message from Clive Nicholas

    At the end of May I will be handing over the Presidency to my successor Tim Miller and I wish him success in the post and the enjoyment the position has given me in the last 3 years.

    When I look back I see some opportunities which were lost but, at the same time a great deal of success in moving the Society forward. We have changed the Constitution to better reflect our present circumstances and, more importantly, improved our recognition of refereeing talent and provided developmental opportunities and processes with a number of successes at both National and Group Level.

    This has taken a great deal of time and effort by a number of people, far too many to mention here, but it would be wrong of not if I did not thank the 4 Regional Managers, the Premier List Manager and the Midweek List Manager, and their teams for the tremendous amount of work they do in ensuring games are covered week in week out.

    Then there is the training side. Bob Ockenden and the Regional Trainers do a more than sterling job and I am amazed at the time they put in on our behalf.

    Can I thank them all, and the rest of the Committee, as well as all those who work on behalf of the Society for what they do so unselfishly in their own time. Without the number of people who willingly assist we would struggle.

    There is still much to do. Over the summer, changes will be made to the website and improvements to our appointments system. More importantly we need to tackle the subject of referee assessing and improve our numbers and standards. Without assessor reports referee advancement is, to say the least, difficult and I know that Tim has that in hand.

    It would be wrong of me not to publicly congratulate Wayne Barnes in this my last message. Wayne was appointed to the iRB List this last season, taking his first 6 Nations game, and has now been appointed to the Tri-nations and the World Cup. We wish him well and look to get more of our referees into the limelight.

    Can I conclude by thanking you all for the opportunity to be your President. It has been a wonderful 3 years and I am grateful for the support I have received from all the members.

    Like Banco’s ghost I will still be around but can I take this opportunity to wish you all well for the future. Remember, it is your Society and the more you put in the better it will be.


    Clive Nicholas
    30 April 2007


  • Good News 1

    You'll all be pleased to hear that our own Wayne Barnes has been selected to Referee at the world Cup in France later this year.

    His appointments for the pool matches are:

    NZ v Italy
    Ireland v Georgia
    South Africa v Tonga
    Samoa v USA

    He has also got another top appointment in the Tri Nations:

    South Africa V Australia

    Well done Barnsey, we know you'll do a great job!

  • Good News 2

    The LSRFUR Management Committee have agreed a major overhaul of the society website.

    The new website will be available for the start of the 2007/8 season and will include a full members area where all your information will be housed. Searchable Appointments, online form completion and much more.

    Keep an eye on the site for further news.

  • Elections

    Please find the results of the Elections that were held at the AGM:

    President: Tim Miller
    Deputy President and Chairman of A&G: Nick Cousins
    General Secretary: Edward Evans
    Treasurer: David Morgan
    Training Officer: Bob Ockenden
    Midweek Manager: Andy Evans
    RFRU Representative: Clive Nicholas
    Premier List Manager: Gary Dibden

    To A&G

    Assistant Secretary (Assessors) Clive Goff
    Assistant Secretary (Exchanges) Clive Morley
    Assistant Treasurer David Tyler

    Regional Managers (who also sit on the Management Committee)

    North Chris Rogers
    West Mark Powell
    South West Phil Dimes
    South East Steve Hancock

    The meeting also approved the recommendation that David Warren and Clive Morley be appointed Life Vice Presidents.

    All appointments are from the commencement of the Society year, ie 1 June 2007, except the LVPs who are appointed immediately.

    Clive Nicholas

  • Meeting Dates for 2007/8 Season

    Continuing with my quest to make the website easier to navigate I have set up the areas for next season (how proactive I hear you all say).

    You will, from next season on, find all information pertaining to each region, including metting dates, reports & events, within that regions own part of the site.

    For those that are not sure the regional areas are under the news & features tab and are then on the left bar under the heading 'News'.

    Central Meetings will also now be found there.

    As I change other parts I shall let you know.

  • West Region Annual Dinner

    The 2007 West Regional Dinner has been announced, it will be on the 18th May 2007 at the Richmond Athletic Ground. All persons wishing to attend should download the following details and follow their instructions.

    West Regional Dinner

  • RWC 2007 Schedule

    If you click on the link below you will find a PDF of all the RWC 2007 game.

    RWC 2007 Schedule

  • New South West Whistler

    A new SWhistler can be read from their part of the site, or for those that are not to good at navigation around the site a link can be found below.

    SWhistler Feb 2007

  • Advance notice for your diaries

    The London Society Dinner will again be held at the Royal Automobile Club, 89-90 Pall Mall , London SW1 on the 29th November 2007, 6.15 for 7.00. The Speakers will be the President of the RFU and Geoff Miller (former England cricketer).

    The price will again be £50 and tables of 10 can be booked.

    Reserve your place now by e-mail to: Hayley Pearson

  • Idiot Proof guide to the Laws of Youth Rugby

    Hampshire have produced this guide to the laws at Youth Level. We thank Hampshire for giving us permission to use it on our site.

    Under 19 Law Variations

  • B52 Update

    Murph has another update for the B52 Ref, you can find this in the features section.

  • Society Dinner News

    During the very successful London Society Annual Dinner held at the RAC on the 30th November, at which the President of the RFU was the main guest, the Society raised £650 towards the “Seeing is Believing” charity. The charity’s main patron is Standard Chartered Bank who also sponsor the London Society.

    Thanks you to all who helped raise this excellent amount.


  • RFU PRESS RELEASE:
    RFU TACKLES ABUSE OF PLAYERS AND MATCH OFFICIALS

    The Rugby Football Union has announced that it is taking further steps to tackle the abuse of players and match officials.

    The RFU Management Board has introduced and approved an instruction for referees to enforce strictly the rules concerning verbal abuse of players and match officials and the use of obscene and offensive language at all levels of the game from Level 12 through to the Guinness Premiership.

    The use of obscene and offensive language is contrary to the spirit and ethos of the game as set out in the International Rugby Board's Playing Charter and the RFU codes of conduct for players and spectators.

    The Regulatory regime to deal with abuse already exists. RFU Rule 5.12 prohibits any "conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the Union or the Game". IRB Law 6.A.5 demands that "all players must respect the authority of the referee". IRB Law 10.4 (k) prohibits "acts contrary to good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure". That includes any form of verbal abuse and can lead to on field sanction and, in extreme cases, further disciplinary sanctions.

    Verbal abuse of opponents carries a recommended disciplinary sanction ranging from a low end of two weeks' suspension to a maximum of 24 weeks.

    Verbal abuse of match officials carries a recommended disciplinary sanction ranging from a low end of six weeks' suspension to a maximum of 24 months.

    Referees must also always report any unacceptable abuse or offensive language by coaches, spectators or others from the touchline.

    Chief Executive of the RFU, Francis Baron OBE, said "The Management Board has taken this decision and introduced these steps for all levels of the game from Level 12 through to the Guinness Premiership because it is important that the ethos and culture of the game is maintained.

    "Although the cases of player to player and player to official abuse are not widespread they are increasing and that is why these intiatives are being introduced now as a preventative measure."

    RFU Disciplinary Officer, His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett said "Clearly in a robust game there will be banter but there is a line that cannot be crossed where it becomes gratuitous and offensive abuse.

    "That is unnecessary and reflects badly on the image of the Game, and players must be aware what is and not acceptable. Serious abuse of players and officials is unacceptable and I welcome the RFU Management Board's strong action to combat this issue."

  • Area for London Members
    I have set up a Forum within my other site for London Members only, here you will be able to bring up things relative to the society.

    The forum is based on RugbyRefs.com and you do have to register, however you have no obligation to take part in any other areas of the RugbyRefs.com site if you do not wish.

    To use the site all you need do is register with RugbyRefs.com, once your account is approved you will be able to access the London Society Forum.

    To Register Click Here

    If already Registered Click Here to go direct to the London Forum.

    Hope you enjoy the Forum.

    Robert Burns