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We hope that you are interested in Rugby Refereeing and in particular in Wellington. Refereeing rugby is a very rewarding way to be involved in the game regardless of your age and experience. We are seeking anyone interested in refereeing and we will help you to learn about the art of rugby refereeing and to develop to any level that aspire to.
The Wellington Rugby Referees Association (WRRA), founded in 1894, aims to produce quality referees for local, regional, national, and international rugby competitions by providing training, education, and opportunities for referees of all levels. Our main goal is to serve the Wellington Rugby community with high quality and consistent officiating.
The WRRA strives to develop referees who can uphold the rules and spirit of the game, ensuring fair and safe play. We provide a comprehensive training and education program for referees, including coaching reports, assessments, and opportunities to progress through the levels.
We have referees as young as 13 who aspire to be World Rugby Test Referees and at the other end of the scale referees who are collecting the pension who turn out each week to referee a social grade of rugby.
Every weekend we have about 100 referees available to us to referee about 90 games of rugby. We endeavour to cover all Secondary Schools rugby and WRFU grades of rugby.
The WRRA operates pretty much as a club under the WRFU and our members pay a nominal sub to belong. All financial members are provided with full refereeing kit and access to the many coaching resources that the association have.
Like a club we aim to be a social and enjoyable community for referees, providing a great way to stay involved in the game and achieving your personal objectives in a supportive environment.
New referees are grouped together and allocated games according to their ability. Beyond the first year, referees are graded in to levels according to their experience, knowlege and overall ability.
The WRRA’s most recent professional referee at the international level is Ben O’Keeffe, who in early 2025 became New Zealand’s most-capped test referee, surpassing Paul Honiss’s long-standing record. O’Keeffe has now officiated over 50 test matches, including Rugby World Cup knockout fixtures, Six Nations clashes, and high-profile Rugby Championship games.
There are many opportunities to enjoy refereeing here in Wellington. If you want to have a look further then please ring David Walsh on 0800 7333733 or email and introduce yourself and he will discuss your officiating ambitions.
We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully enjoying your company in the near the future and getting you into the best seat in the house!
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