Buenos Aires Rugby Union Launches Campaign to Recruit More Referees

The Union of Rugby of Buenos Aires (URBA) is initiating a campaign to address a critical shortage of referees, a challenge echoing globally within the sport. This need has become particularly visible following recent controversial calls, including one that impacted the Pumas' match against England, and Tomás Albornoz's subsequent suspension for misconduct.

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The main challenge we have in the refereeing area is recruitment: getting referees. Once we get them, comes the best part, evaluating and assigning them to matches. But we couldn't do anything if we didn't have referees.

In a sport that prides itself on respect for authority, the constant questioning and criticism directed at referees have prompted URBA to actively seek more individuals to officiate matches. Leonardo Borghi, URBA's Director of Refereeing, highlighted that the primary challenge is recruitment. "The main challenge we have in the refereeing area is recruitment: getting referees. Once we get them, comes the best part, evaluating and assigning them to matches. But we couldn't do anything if we didn't have referees," Borghi explained.

URBA is urging its affiliated clubs to help identify and bring forward potential referees, noting that most come from within the rugby community itself. "We ask the clubs to bring us referees. They all come from clubs, except for isolated cases. 99 percent are people who play rugby," he added. The campaign, titled "Keep Playing from Another Place," features a promotional spot with former player Tomás Bertazza, showcasing the preparation and weekly work involved in refereeing.

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We ask the clubs to bring us referees. They all come from clubs, except for isolated cases. 99 percent are people who play rugby.

Borghi emphasized that former players are particularly valuable recruits. "The more they played, the better. It has a very important plus due to their knowledge of the game and the environment." Notable former players like Gonzalo Figueredo, Nicolás Ferrero, and Leandro Urriza have transitioned to refereeing, with Urriza now officiating intermediate matches in the Top 14. "For a former player like Leandro, we need to add less value than for someone who played until under-17s. We created this campaign to encourage them that they can continue playing by being a referee. Rugby has a lot of rules, formations, criteria... you can't play seriously without a referee," Borghi stated.

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The more they played, the better. It has a very important plus due to their knowledge of the game and the environment.

URBA conducts refereeing courses twice a year, each lasting six weeks. Successful candidates who wish to continue are tested and then accompanied by a tutor to their first matches, typically with under-15 teams. The development path for referees is similar to that of players; skilled individuals can advance quickly, while others may take longer. The union also organizes zonal courses and training sessions to unify criteria and support referee development.

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We created this campaign to encourage them that they can continue playing by being a referee. Rugby has a lot of rules, formations, criteria... you can't play seriously without a referee.