National Collegiate Rugby will be trialling a new referee development program as a new service for certain programs during the Fall 2025 season. The pilot program will create a panel of high performance referees across the country that will initially be assigned to participating men’s Division I programs.
The development program is being launched to raise the level of match officiating available to member clubs, and support clubs with referee assignments during their conference season. This fall, the pilot program will focus on key conference matchups in the Liberty, Atlantic, Big River, and Big 10 competitions.
Men’s Director Brad Dufek said of the program, "Our teams have been vocal about their desire for high level match officiating, and it's our responsibility to work to find solutions for them. This program is a step in the right direction."
The initiative is designed to provide high performance referees with structured coaching, feedback, and opportunities to progress through the national officiating pathway. Selected referees will work directly with a dedicated coach over an eight-week period, honing the skills necessary to perform at the highest level of the collegiate game.
“Our goal is to elevate the standard of officiating across college rugby by providing the tools and feedback referees need to succeed,” said NCR Referee Manager Dave Haines. “This program creates a pathway for referees to develop through top-tier match assignments and ultimately be considered for national championship selection.”
Referees participating in the pilot will be evaluated for potential assignments at regionals and championships, with top performers eligible for selection to officiate the Division I National Championship, a prestigious appointment that includes a $1,500 compensation.
Assignments for the program will be coordinated through NCR’s regional selection committee, and referees are encouraged to coordinate their availability with their local referee organizations to ensure scheduling alignment.
Referees with experience officiating Division I rugby and an interest in participating in this pilot program should contact Dave Haines at referees@ncr.rugby.
While the women’s Division I community opted out of the initial pilot, NCR plans to develop and expand this program across all men’s and women’s competitions.
