Warwickshire Society of Referees
Minutes of Grading Committee Meeting
4 January 2017
1. Welcome Ryan Smith welcomed the committee to the first Grading Meeting of 2017; the
meeting took place at his home and begun at 7.30 pm. The following members of the
committee were present Ryan Smith (Chair), Dermot Collins, Steve Savage, Sion Bowen
(Training) and Gwyn Airdrie (Chairman WSOR)
2. Apologies Dave Smith (Appointments)
3. Previous Meeting Minutes and Actions
Last Meeting Minutes agreed and accepted by WSOR Executive.
Sion Bowen reported back that he had contacted Steve Challis as requested regarding future
as a coach (not interested) but still needed to clarify his plans for refereeing for the
remainder of this season & next.
Outstanding questions regarding Lee Foster’s apparent withdrawn resignation are being
addressed through the exec with a report back due at next week’s meeting.
4. Federation
Ryan Smith reported back that he had met with the federation committee and the
federation was in the process of being reformed. He has been asked to draw up a draft of
the federation policy.
5. Grading Committee Presentation to January Open Meeting
As agreed previously Dermot Collins will deliver a brief summary of the WSOR Grading Policy
and explain the role of this committee at the January Open Meeting with Ryan Smith in
attendance to field any specific questions/concerns.
6. Match Observer Development
No further news on the RFU’s new match official developer (MO) course since the request
for video footage of one of our referees for the course.
The committee would like to record its ongoing thanks for the helpful contribution from
John Pritchard in advising our match observers on report writing and standards.
7. Referee Reports Exchanges, Internal (incl Coach Reviews) and DVDS
Before the meeting committee had independently examined referee performance evidence
of coach summaries, WSOR match observer reports, Exchange reports and Dartfish game
DVDs.
The committee discussed the entire WSOR active refereeing group and tried to plan how
match observers and the DVDs were to be allocated in January 2017
The following referees had reviews of their games during late November and December and
these were evaluated by the committee; see specific evaluations and comments belowa. Carl Adams Formally accepted onto the Midlands divisional panel (midland group) .
Promoted to L5.
b. Stuart Barr Very challenging schools game which he managed with good game
awareness and has responded well to analysis work with Ian Roberts. Remains L10B.
c. Chris Berwick Has returned to refereeing following serious illness, good to see his
return. Review of a difficult colt’s game highlighted good technical strengths and
identified need to look his game management specifically at escalation of sanctions.
Has now completed the laws exam to allow for higher banding. Rebanded to L8B.
Warwickshire Society of Referees
d. Richard Bonner Excellent report and positive feedback from clubs. He has now
exceeded required fitness level for promotion. Rebanded to L7A with selected L6
appointments to further his development.
e. Tom Boulton Recent review shows that he is continuing to develop well in
refereeing senior rugby. o be tested in L10 senior games. Remains L11A.
f. Sion Bowen Recent report and DVD evidence plus early season reports show that he
is ready for promotion: Promoted to L8C.
g. Kieran Bowerbank Continuing progress at L8; to remain at L8 and continue within
the Development squad and supported by Gloucester Society. There is a need for a
coach to be provided which Sion Bowen is looking to address. Concerns were raised
regarding his lack of self-analysis work and personal development plan; these will
need to be urgently addressed for Kieran to remain on the development squad.
Remains L8B to be tested on exchange games in January.
h. Aodhan Deans Capable performance in L7 university game on DVD. Remains L7C.
i. Kindy Devgun Report from north midlands exchange identified development needs
on a challenging L6 game for Kindy to consider as a newly promoted L6 referee
looking to ‘establish’ himself. Remains L6C.
j. Ranbir Dhillon Report from North Midlands exchange demonstrates continuing
competence at L7. Hasn’t completed laws exam or passed fitness test to allow for
promotion. Remains L7C.
k. Dan Everitt DVD’d game showed ongoing issues which Dan should address before
being considered for rebanding. Has responded positively to Ryan Smith’s offer to
assist with self-analysis. Remains L8C.
l. Rory Fisher Exchange reports from Devon & Manchester demonstrated continued
competence at L6 with potential for further advancement albeit with development
areas mainly concentration related that should be addressed with his coach.
Rebanded to L6A – to facilitate Rory doing any L5 games that may be offered to him
from midland group
m. Lee Foster Performed adequately in a L9 national vase game in NLD. Hasn’t passed
fitness test that would also for consideration of promotion. Remains L8C
n. Calum George 3 good observed performances in November & December which
show that he is adapting well to the challenges of senior refereeing. Promoted to
L11A.
o. Tom Hill Recent review confirms solid progress as a referee new to refereeing senior
rugby. Regret about Tom declining game before Christmas which impacted on
evidence base available to the committee to review. Tom has been reminded via
email that given the current shortage of referees he should expect reappointment
following a game being cancelled. Promoted to L10B
p. Rob Hunter Recent L6 review shows effective game management skills with a need
to work on mobility and speed to the breakdown in order to continue to be effective
at L6. Remains L6C.
q. Simon Jeavons DVD of 2nd league game showed competent performance and
returning confidence following challenging introduction to league rugby. Hasn’t
passed fitness test or laws exam that would allow for promotion. Remains L10C.
Warwickshire Society of Referees
r.
Andy Jones Reports on L9/10 games supported solid progress addressing
development needs from last season which lead to a L8 game being selected &
DVD’d. Ian Roberts was asked to produce a report on the game which unfortunately
wasn’t available in time for the meeting. The DVD was reviewed by the members of
the committee who felt that Andy has some way to go in becoming competent at L8.
It was agreed to look at providing further L8 opportunities on mid-table L8 league
games later in the season to give Andy the chance to demonstrate the improved
management of the breakdown and escalation of sanctions as is expected at L8.
Remains L9B with selected L8 league games as the season progresses.
s. Ben Kili 2 good reviewed performances on DVD alongside a very comprehensive
positive coaching summary report which included observed L9 league game with
clear recommendation for promotion. Promoted to L10A.
t. Harvey Knight Positive reports on observed games both in county & on north
midlands exchange alongside Positive oral coaching summary report from Gwyn
Airdrie. Needs further experience of L7 league games before being looked at for
promotion. Remains L7B.
u. Mark Lavelle Report and DVD’d game reviewed; positive progress on return from
USA where he has clearly continued to develop as a referee. Promoted to L9B.
v. Oliver Lee Very promising performance in first senior game alongside excellent
performances in challenging U16 games. Promoted to L11B.
w. Phil Monaghan Positive exchange report in challenging L8 game alongside continued
positive club feedback supports promotion. Promoted to L8C.
x. Martin Nailor Positive report from Rugby School game –albeit with development
needs around changing play behaviour– supports further gradual exposure to L7
games. Remains L8A.
y. John Neale Good performance in observed L10 game, this was a good pacy 2nd team
game tempered with uncontested scrums; his performance should be reviewed in
L10 league fixtures. Remains L10B.
z. Jeremy Nesbitt Good performance in two observed school games. On-going
development needs specially in changing player behaviour; improvements to be
tested in selected senior L8 games.
aa. Myles Pigdon Reviewed performances in Warwickshire support promotion. It was
noted that unlike other referee’s with dual membership with other societies there is
no formal agreement regarding his primary society for grading. Agreed that Ryan
Smith will make contact with Oxfordshire to resolve this issue. Action: RS. Promoted
to L11A
bb. Dan Rowland DVD review plus a well-crafted coaches’ update shows that he
continues to develop in L7 games and needs to continue with further and more
challenging L7 games. Areas for development identified by his coach and solutions in
place.
cc. Howard Russell Passed L8 fitness requirement and performed well in a run L8 games
with 4 positive reports plus DVD’d game supporting promotion. To advance further
Howard should look to further improve his speed & mobility. Promoted to L8C.
Warwickshire Society of Referees
dd. Nigel Scott Competent performance on challenging Colts game. Can make
improvements to his communication as advised in report. Hasn’t completed fitness
test or laws exam which would allow for consideration of promotion. Remains L8C
ee. Martyn Sly DVD reviewed, viewed as competent at L7. Hasn’t done fitness or laws
exam which would enable consideration of promotion. Remains L7C
ff. Jonathan Thombs Positive report on reviewed game supporting ongoing progress.
Will look at on L10 game during January. Remains L11A.
gg. Tony Venables Two exchange reports and internal report where he adapted his style
to suit the trial game well indicate that ongoing competence at L8 with evidence of
ongoing development towards L7. Remains L8B
hh. Douglas Waddell New referee being supported by induction squad. Showing
promise and due to accepting high volume of games should complete post level 2
induction task before next meeting where a grade can be assigned.
8. Recommendations to Appointments from Grading Committee
a. 7th January
i. L6
1. Barking v Saffron Walden Richard Bonner
ii. L7
1. Romford & Gidea Park v Norwich Rhys Davies
iii. L8
1. Wanstead v Lowersoft & Yarmouth Kieran Bowerbank
iv. L9
1. Dagenham v Kings Cross Steelers Nigel Pigdon
b. 14th January
i. Phil Monaghan East Retford v Notts Moderns (Regional Vase S/F)
c. 21 January
i. L7
1.
2.
3.
4.
High Wycombe v Marlow Jeremy Nesbitt
Earlsdon v Southam Dan Rowlands
Dunlop v Barker Butts Rhys Davies
Nuneaton OE v Pinley Harvey Knight
1.
2.
3.
4.
Chesham v Abingdon Adam Page
Bablake v Sedbergh Sion Bowen
Manor Park v Shipston Tony Venables
Old Leams v Old Wheats Martin Nailor
ii. L8
iii. L9
1. Farnham v Aldermarston Mark Lavelle
2. Coventrians v Stoke OB Howard Russell
3. Coventry Welsh v Redditch Andy Jones
iv. L10
1. Tom Boulton Trinity Guild v Birmingham CS
Warwickshire Society of Referees
d. 28th January
i. L7
1.
2.
3.
4.
ii. L8
1.
2.
3.
4.
iii. L9
1.
Nuneaton 2s v Leicester Lions 2s Martin Nailor
Coalville v Kesteven Aodhan Deans
Broadstreet 2s v Bromsgrove 2s Rhys Davies
Southam v Leamington Dan Rowlands
Ashby v Belper Chris Berwick
Rugby SA v Old Leams Kieren Bowerbank
KH8 v Shrewsbury Adam Page
Shipston v Old Coventrians Jeremy Nesbitt
Old Newts v Bedford Swifts Barry Nolan
9. Grading Decisions Summary of Promotion/Re Banding
a. Promotions
i. Carl Adams to L5
ii. Phil Monaghan to L8B
iii. Sion Bowen to L8C
iv. Howard Russell to L8C
v. Mark Lavelle to L9B
vi. Ben Killi to L10A
vii. Tom Hill to L10B
viii. Calum George to L11A
ix. Myles Pigdon to L11A
x. Ollie Lee to L11B
b. Rebandings
i. Rory Fisher to L6A
ii. Richard Bonner to L7A
iii. Chris Berwick to L8B
10. Any Other Business The next meeting was scheduled for 4th February 2017 at Ryan Smith’s
house. Meeting closed at 21:45.