South African referees are expanding the scope of their academy aimed at producing more top referees in a country short of referees.

André Watson, SA Referees' boss, explained: "We introduced an Academy squad a few years ago. We then further introduced an initiative whereby we provided scouting of and specialised coaching for mainly referees of previously disadvantaged areas and provinces.

"The past three years the country was divided into two regions namely Coastal and Inland. Eugene Daniels and Louis Mzomba did sterling work in tandem with the provincial Rugby Development Officers (RDOs) and some referees have come through to reach the Contenders squad and Provincial panel. Rashivenga Rasta is but only one example.

"Because of the success of the system, we have decided to intensify the effort and increase the people allocated to this very important aspect. SA Referees Rugby Association (SARRA) decided to have four regions instead of two and will be structured as follows for 2010. We are happy to announce that Michael Cupido and Mandla Dakuse availed themselves for this very important cause and we are delighted to have people of their caliber and experience and to tap into their knowledge."

Regions and coaches

1. Vaal Region (BB, Lions, Pumas, Valke, Leopards) : Coach - Michael Cupido
2. Coastal Region (Western Province, Boland, Eagles, Sharks): Coach - Louis Mzomba
3. Southern Kings (Eastern Province, Border): Coach - Mandla Dakuse
4. Central Region (Cheetahs, Griffons, Griquas): Coach – Eugene Daniels

They will be known as Academy Squad Regional coaches. Eugene Daniels will be responsible to oversee structure and the actual Academy squad, and ensure that it operates in accordance with SA Rugby referees' guidelines and procedures.  The reporting channel for Mzomba, Cupido and Dakuse will be through Daniels to SARRA. Daniels is therefore the Academy Squad Head coach.

Requests by the regional coaches for tournaments should be forwarded a month in advance so proper planning can take place. Ad hoc tournaments at short notice will not be approved. All coaches are required to submit a monthly report at the end of each month on all activities that took place in their respective regions. Coaches must also ensure that coaching reports are forwarded to unions after every tournament on each referee. An overall report on the Academy Squad will be submitted monthly to Watson and no later than the last working day of the first week of the following month.

 The responsibilities of the four coaches are scouting, talent identification and to fast track referees from disadvantage areas to the next level. They are not responsible for recruitment of referees because it is the duty/responsibility of provincial societies.

Protocol for Tournaments

Referees officiating at tournaments are under the auspices of the SA Rugby Referees Association and coaches will adhere to the following protocol:

1. Arrival: a) Referees meeting
                   b) Law exam
                   c) Ambassadorial qualities
                   d) Appointments for day one
                  
2. Day one: a) View all referees
                        b) Return to hotel after last game
                        c) Tendencies for day one
                        d) Appointments for day two
                        e) Dinner
                        f) Individual feedback
                       
3. Day two: The same as for day one

Tournaments may vary depending on teams participating. Therefore some tournaments will be over in one day. Coaches will be responsible for all activities and liable for any come backs that occurred during tournaments.

Unions Referee Managers and RDOs

Unions and RDOs should not feel threatened with regard to above appointments and structure. The Academy squad coaches are not running their societies nor are they in charge. In fact they are to be seen as supporting staff to make their job easier on a certain front. This initiative should be a 50/50 partnership to speed up the development of referees from disadvantage areas. We are not prescribing to societies what to do but rather form part of their structures and work hand in hand to get more referees of color into the system and quicker. This will also ensure that they get selected on merit. We should refrain from playing a numbers game because this could damage the image of the society and SA Rugby referees, not to mention the individual. If we want this initiative to be successful we will have to work together as a team and not as two separate entities.

Refereeing is a lonely sport and we need each other to be successful.