The 2026 Referee Panels Explanation:
Each referee and MOD has been assessed against the RA Match Official Framework and allocated to the most suitable panel for their refereeing/MOD level and how they meet the criteria.
While the panels will be streamlined into more flexible and fit for purpose groups, it is important to note the referees within each panel are still ranked on performance and will be appointed in line with their assessed capability, assessed game level and, where appropriate, game/age requirements. For example, within the Performance panel - while the referees for John I Dent will be appointed from this panel, it does not mean everyone in this panel will be eligible for John I Dent. The new panels will allow the flexibility to use referees as appropriate, but their capability is still an important factor in determining the level of appointed game.
Performance Panel:
The referees who are refereeing our top Premiere games each week and in some cases being watched by RA for further opportunities. As per the Framework to be considered for the Performance panel you need to be performing within a RA pathway and/or within the ACT premier environment - delivering sound game understanding and management through emotional intelligence and authenticity. ACTRRA remains committed to not only supporting our members being considered for a RA pathway, but also assisting those members who strive to achieve JID level within the ACT.
This panel will largely be appointed to referee Premiere 1st Grade, Premiere 2nd Grade and Premiere Colts, with a combination of games filling out the appointments, based on the development needs of those referees and Association requirements. There will also be a requirement for members of the Performance panel to complete a timed Bronco fitness test at the start of the season and achieve a time of 5 minutes 30 seconds or less to be eligible for the panel.
For those members of the Senior Community panel looking to advance to the Performance Panel, there will be opportunities to demonstrate you should be considered. The size of the Performance panel will create opportunities for Senior Community panel referees to be exposed to game levels that will allow video review and for you to demonstrate your ability to meet the RA Performance Framework. Nathan Mass, as the Senior Coaching Coordinator, will reach out the next few weeks to seek input from all referees on your goals and what type of support you are looking for this season. It is important to inform us about what you are seeking to achieve as we can't support you if we don't know what your goals are.
It is very important to remember that each referee is responsible for driving their own development and this is a standard expectation of referees within the Performance panel or those trying to attain this level. If you would like to be considered for the higher panels, we would strongly advise you to assess yourself against the RA Framework for that panel using the traffic lights system - honestly measuring yourself as Green/Yellow/Red against the sub-elements of the three Cs and discussing with your season coach.
Senior/Junior Community Panel:
Community Panel referees are defined in the RA framework as Match Officials who are regularly refereeing community participation rugby. These MOs are facilitating the laws, safety and frameworks with relevance in game. The Senior Community panel referees will generally be appointed to any and all games below the premiere Colts level, based on performance, referee development and Association requirements. The Junior Community panel referees will generally be appointed to junior games below under 18 1s level.
For Junior Community referees aspiring to the Senior Community panel and a transition into senior rugby as well as the Facilitator panel members looking to advance to the Junior Community panel and high level junior games, please provide feedback to Nathan Mass and Geoff Palmer, so we can ensure we are tracking your progress and proving the opportunities to develop your refereeing.
Facilitator Panel:
This panel is defined in the Framework as Match Officials who are starting their MO journey, with the focus being on safety, laws and how these are applied within the spirit and level of the game. This panel is a combination of our lower junior referees and yellow shirt referees, generally refereeing games below the u14 1s level.
Presidents Panel:
We will maintain the Presidents panel, slightly outside the standard panels, for referees who are able to support a range of games, but are either not regularly refereeing or hold a committee position.
MOD Panels:
All our MODs have been assigned to either the Performance, Community or Facilitator MOD panels, based on the level of game they are generally MODing each week. Performance panel MODs can MOD any game level and will be expected to balance MOD responsibilities across a range of games, with a focus on supporting the Performance panel referees through their self-driven video reviews and completing written reports. Of note, to be eligible for the MOD Performance panel you cannot be a current referee within that panel. Community Panel MODs will be responsible for MODing Community level games and below, supporting these referees through in person coaching and written reports. Facilitator Panel MODs will support those referees currently in our Facilitator panel through in person coaching and written reports. Any MOD who has completed a MOD course, will remain ungraded until they have been qualified to move into the Facilitator panel.
As with the referees, MODs are also responsible for driving their own development and any MODs wishing advance to a high panel or be graded to the Facilitator panel will need to advise Geoff Palmer and/or Nathan Mass, who will work to appoint you to MOD 5 games at the level you aspire to. Reports must be submitted for these games to be countered and at least two of these games will be overseen by a senior MOD or mentor. I encourage all MODs to reach out to Nathan Mass and Geoff Palmer, so we can ensure we are tracking your progress and providing the opportunities to develop your MODing.
While the panels will be streamlined into more flexible and fit for purpose groups, it is important to note the referees within each panel are still ranked on performance and will be appointed in line with their assessed capability, assessed game level and, where appropriate, game/age requirements. For example, within the Performance panel - while the referees for John I Dent will be appointed from this panel, it does not mean everyone in this panel will be eligible for John I Dent. The new panels will allow the flexibility to use referees as appropriate, but their capability is still an important factor in determining the level of appointed game.
Performance Panel:
The referees who are refereeing our top Premiere games each week and in some cases being watched by RA for further opportunities. As per the Framework to be considered for the Performance panel you need to be performing within a RA pathway and/or within the ACT premier environment - delivering sound game understanding and management through emotional intelligence and authenticity. ACTRRA remains committed to not only supporting our members being considered for a RA pathway, but also assisting those members who strive to achieve JID level within the ACT.
This panel will largely be appointed to referee Premiere 1st Grade, Premiere 2nd Grade and Premiere Colts, with a combination of games filling out the appointments, based on the development needs of those referees and Association requirements. There will also be a requirement for members of the Performance panel to complete a timed Bronco fitness test at the start of the season and achieve a time of 5 minutes 30 seconds or less to be eligible for the panel.
For those members of the Senior Community panel looking to advance to the Performance Panel, there will be opportunities to demonstrate you should be considered. The size of the Performance panel will create opportunities for Senior Community panel referees to be exposed to game levels that will allow video review and for you to demonstrate your ability to meet the RA Performance Framework. Nathan Mass, as the Senior Coaching Coordinator, will reach out the next few weeks to seek input from all referees on your goals and what type of support you are looking for this season. It is important to inform us about what you are seeking to achieve as we can't support you if we don't know what your goals are.
It is very important to remember that each referee is responsible for driving their own development and this is a standard expectation of referees within the Performance panel or those trying to attain this level. If you would like to be considered for the higher panels, we would strongly advise you to assess yourself against the RA Framework for that panel using the traffic lights system - honestly measuring yourself as Green/Yellow/Red against the sub-elements of the three Cs and discussing with your season coach.
Senior/Junior Community Panel:
Community Panel referees are defined in the RA framework as Match Officials who are regularly refereeing community participation rugby. These MOs are facilitating the laws, safety and frameworks with relevance in game. The Senior Community panel referees will generally be appointed to any and all games below the premiere Colts level, based on performance, referee development and Association requirements. The Junior Community panel referees will generally be appointed to junior games below under 18 1s level.
For Junior Community referees aspiring to the Senior Community panel and a transition into senior rugby as well as the Facilitator panel members looking to advance to the Junior Community panel and high level junior games, please provide feedback to Nathan Mass and Geoff Palmer, so we can ensure we are tracking your progress and proving the opportunities to develop your refereeing.
Facilitator Panel:
This panel is defined in the Framework as Match Officials who are starting their MO journey, with the focus being on safety, laws and how these are applied within the spirit and level of the game. This panel is a combination of our lower junior referees and yellow shirt referees, generally refereeing games below the u14 1s level.
Presidents Panel:
We will maintain the Presidents panel, slightly outside the standard panels, for referees who are able to support a range of games, but are either not regularly refereeing or hold a committee position.
MOD Panels:
All our MODs have been assigned to either the Performance, Community or Facilitator MOD panels, based on the level of game they are generally MODing each week. Performance panel MODs can MOD any game level and will be expected to balance MOD responsibilities across a range of games, with a focus on supporting the Performance panel referees through their self-driven video reviews and completing written reports. Of note, to be eligible for the MOD Performance panel you cannot be a current referee within that panel. Community Panel MODs will be responsible for MODing Community level games and below, supporting these referees through in person coaching and written reports. Facilitator Panel MODs will support those referees currently in our Facilitator panel through in person coaching and written reports. Any MOD who has completed a MOD course, will remain ungraded until they have been qualified to move into the Facilitator panel.
As with the referees, MODs are also responsible for driving their own development and any MODs wishing advance to a high panel or be graded to the Facilitator panel will need to advise Geoff Palmer and/or Nathan Mass, who will work to appoint you to MOD 5 games at the level you aspire to. Reports must be submitted for these games to be countered and at least two of these games will be overseen by a senior MOD or mentor. I encourage all MODs to reach out to Nathan Mass and Geoff Palmer, so we can ensure we are tracking your progress and providing the opportunities to develop your MODing.
