Wigan Rugby League Referees Society launch new kit as they look to increase engagement

A launch event took place at an U14s game at Ince Rose Bridge, where the strip was used for the first time.

The kit is something the society is really proud of, and hope it will create more engagement.

Secretary Kieron Marno said: “When we were both appointed we had a very clear vision that we wanted the referees society to have an identity and the easiest way to do that was to have a kit.

“We don’t get one off the RFL, everything that is given to our officials is what members have been able to beg, steal and borrow from previous seasons, so that’s not great for people coming into our society.

“This is a tough job, it’s difficult to attract and retain people as it is, especially if we can’t even give them a kit. So I went about securing sponsorship which enabled us to order and provide a kit free of charge for the entire society.

“Our main one is the Staffline-Group, then there is the McCarney Foundation who helps underprivileged children get into playing sport, Armoury Bank Garage, and Temco Illbruck.”

“We get no monetary investment in the society from within the game,” added development officer Rob Willis.

“We get young officials through courses and mentor them. When they get to a sufficient level the RFL takes them off their hands. It annoys me a bit that we don’t get anything back, and it’s a big thing for me.

“It’s very frustrating from a society point of view. We’ll get people like me and Kieron on the committee who live and breathe it, and if we didn’t then it wouldn’t exist, which would mean the pipeline of officials would dry up.

“If there are no officials then there are no games.”

On the back of the shirt there is a tribute to referee, and life member of the society, Carl Roden, who passed away in 2020.

“He mentored me in my very first game,” stated Willis.

“He was a member for at least 30 years. I think the memorial on the back of the shirt is a great tribute to him. We thought it would be pointless going for another sponsor, so instead attributed the space to him.

“Rose Bridge was his club so the sponsors were in his suite there to watch the game.”

Marno hopes the society can create more awareness and build good links with the teams in the Wigan area.

“We’ve been doing engagement sessions at the local clubs where we talk about the shortage of referees and the challenges we have, but also the benefits and how we can be supported,” he explained.

“We get Super League referees to come down as well, just speaking to coaches to explain the new rules for this year to make us more open. If we don’t work together then we’ve got a major problem coming.

“It is having an impact, and it’s not often you are popular as an official. It’s all about ensuring the survival of our great sport. We are seeing an uplift in girls picking up the sport, we’ve now got five who are female in the society.

“We’re all having to work hard to cover the gaps while the younger refs are coming through. We need to find the right balance between us going out and providing support while also covering the game. We have to get it right otherwise we’ll lose referees.”