National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) today announced the formal launch of the Collegiate Referee & Laws Committee (CRLC), a major initiative designed to provide robust leadership, governance, and comprehensive oversight for referee operations across all NCR competitions.

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The establishment of the CRLC comes at a critical juncture, directly responding to a nationwide decline in both the quantity and quality of sports officials. By creating a centralized, dedicated governing body, NCR aims to reverse this trend within collegiate rugby, ensuring matches are officiated at the highest possible standard.

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The formal rollout of the CRLC follows a highly successful pilot during the 2025-26 season, which demonstrated strong adoption and immediate impact through the Referee Development Program. During the pilot season:

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• 14 high-potential referees were selected for the development track.
• 58 Division I games were covered across the country.
• 7 national-panel referee coaches provided direct, elite-level mentorship and evaluation.

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"The success of our pilot season proved that a structured, well-supported pathway for officials is exactly what the collegiate game needs," said David Haines, NCR Referee Director. "The CRLC isn't just about filling slots on a weekend schedule; it’s about establishing a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and accountability that will elevate the game for players, coaches, and fans alike."

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The CRLC is structured into seven specialized sub-committees, each focusing on a pillar of development and governance:

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1. Coaching – Mentorship and growth of active referees.
2. Training and Education – Curriculum design, clinics, and certifications.
3. Assistant Referee (AR) and Television Match Official (TMO) – Specialized training for boundary and video officiating.
4. Evaluation – Rigorous performance tracking and grading.
5. Selection – High-performance appointments for crucial NCR matches.
6. Laws – Interpretation, alignment, and local implementation of rugby laws.
7. Discipline – Upholding the integrity of the game and code of conduct.

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NCR Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Treece emphasized the strategic importance of the committee's launch for the organization's broader vision.

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"As NCR continues to grow, ensuring the safety, fairness, and quality of our competitions is paramount," said Jeremy Treece, NCR CEO. "The CRLC introduces a sophisticated infrastructure that supports our referees from their very first whistle up to national championship matches. We are deeply invested in this committee's success and the long-term vitality of rugby officiating in the United States."

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The CRLC will be lead by a highly experienced Executive Committee comprised of respected leaders, regional referee stakeholders, and competition representatives to ensure a holistic approach to governance:

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• David Haines – Referee Director
• Calum Pender – Chair, Evaluation Sub-Committee and Selection Sub-Committee
• Christopher Chopra Micheletti – Chair, Laws Sub-Committee
• Judah Boulet – Chair, Training & Education Sub-Committee
• Miles McIvor – Chair, Assistant Referee and Television Match Official Sub-Committee
• Simon Davies – Chair, Coaching Sub-Committee
• Dean Jorgensen – Disciplinary Chair
• Robert Fanning – Referee Representative
• Brad Dufek – NCR Men’s Representative
• Alycia Washington – NCR Women’s Representative

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The CRLC will begin executing its strategic plan immediately ahead of the upcoming competitive season, with expanded recruitment drives and synchronized training modules across all regional conferences. The organization will also be recruiting coach and competition representatives for several of the sub-committees.

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