The Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF), in partnership with the UK-based charity Friends of Rwandan Rugby (FoRR), successfully conducted a Level One Rugby Refereeing Course on May 23, 2026, at Groupe Scolaire Sainte Famille.
The intensive one-day training program brought together 17 aspiring and active match officials, including 13 men and 4 women, as part of a strategic push to enhance the quality and inclusivity of officiating across the country.
The course featured a blend of classroom-based theoretical sessions and on-field practical drills. The curriculum focused on essential refereeing pillars, including the latest world rugby laws, effective communication, optimal on-field positioning, match control strategies, and player safety protocols.
The training was spearheaded by UK-based rugby experts Steve Jones and Terry Dickson, who brought international officiating insights to the local participants.
Speaking during the closing session, Jones emphasized that technical knowledge must be paired with personal professionalism to succeed at higher levels of the game. He urged the newly certified referees to remain highly disciplined, maintain peak physical fitness, and practice strict consistency on the pitch. He also stressed the importance of a commitment to continuous learning to collectively elevate rugby officiating standards in Rwanda.
The initiative marks the latest collaborative effort between the RRF and Friends of Rwandan Rugby to strengthen grassroots rugby development and build robust technical capacity within the national sporting framework.
