Junior Development Squad

The Society has an active and growing number of young referees within our Junior Development Squad (JDS) . So if you are aged between 14 and 18 and want to referee, get in touch – we would love to hear from you! 

Key Contacts

Our Junior Development Squad supports 14-18 years old by giving them opportunities to referee in a safe environment and provides the training and support they need to grow in confidence and experience. Each Junior Development Squad member is given a dedicated Coach and Mentor and will receive support from the Society’s group of advisors and assessors if they would like it.

After you have six games under your belt within the Society and want to go further, you will get a starter kit worth £80!

The RFU have Referee award training courses in Kent each year as well as our own course, Introduction to Refereeing Course. To join the Junior Development Squad you will need to have taken one of these courses. 

Qualify as a Referee

Safeguarding

Any young match official under the age of 18 is classed as a child and must be cared for in the correct manner.

It is vital that we provide children in our Junior Development Squad with the best possible experiences and rugby opportunities. Everyone involved with working with children must operate within an accepted ethical framework and demonstrate exemplary behaviour to ensure the game makes a positive contribution to children’s development, safeguards them and promotes their welfare, as well as protecting all personnel from allegations of abuse or poor practice.

The Society has a dedicated Safeguarding Officer (See Key Contacts) and all Assessors and Advisors working with our Junior Development Squad are DBS checked and are fully aware of their responsibilities under the KSRFUR Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

Download Our Policy

This document sets out the key safeguarding principles as well as providing best practice guidance to all Society members.

www.englandrugby.com/governance/safeguarding/