Welsh referee Kristoff Young, who hails from Chepstow, will blow his whistle to officially start the 2022 Betfred Rugby League Challenge Cup at 7pm on Friday January 14 at Pyle RFC when 2021 WRL men’s champions, Bridgend Blue Bulls take on the Royal Navy in the historic competition. It’s the first time a Challenge Cup […]
Category Archives: Match Officials
James Jones to become a dual code international referee
Wales are set to have a dual code rugby international of a different kind next week, when James Jones lines up to referee a full men’s international rugby league test match between Russia and Ukraine. Jones was today appointed by the European Rugby League to this European Championships B match, which takes place next Wednesday […]
WRL celebrate increase in participation ahead of Sunday’s junior finals
Wales Rugby League are nearing the end of a successful domestic season that has seen almost a 50 per cent increase in players compared to 2019. The increase has been enhanced by the seven new community clubs who registered for 2021 – four of whom were in North Wales, an area that staged a men’s […]
Just Perfect Catering sponsor WRL’s match officials
Wales Rugby League are pleased to announce a partnership with “Just Perfect Catering” to sponsor their match officials. The deal is for one year with option of extending. Just Perfect Catering’s logo appears on the front of the match official’s shirts, with the message “RESPECT / PARCH” on the back. Just Perfect Catering are Wales […]
Four Welsh match officials at West Wales Raiders v Rochdale Hornets
Wales Rugby League are celebrating having four local match officials at a professional rugby league match for the first time, the game being West Wales Raiders v Rochdale Hornets this Saturday at Stebonheath Park (kick-off 3pm). Bridgend-based James Jones, the head of match officials for Wales, will referee, with Kristoff Young from Chepstow running the […]
Match officials appointed for Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup
Wales Rugby League have successfully nominated Kim Abel and Lucy Redmond to be part of the match officials team at this autumn’s Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. Over recent months, all eight nations participating in the tournament were requested to nominate up to two match officials to represent their nation at the tournament. However as […]
James Jones delighted with International Match Officials Squad appointment
James Jones, Wales Rugby League’s head of match officials, is delighted with the news that he has been named in the newly formed International Match Officials Squad (IMOS) by the International Rugby League. IMOS will operate underneath the Elite Match Officials Squad (EMOS) and will generally officiate games that do not involve the top four […]
WRL continue to run successful online courses during lockdown
Wales Rugby League have continued to be active during this lockdown period by running a number of online courses for their members. WRL held their own “Mental Health Week” from October 26-31 with the “Rugby League Cares” charity hosting two online Zoom meetings – “Managing Emotions” hosted by Keith Senior and Paul Wood, and “Challenging […]
Alana Sargent appointed first Head of Wheelchair RL Match Officials in Wales
Alana Sargent has made history for the third time after being appointed the first ever Head of Wheelchair Rugby League Match Officials for Wales Rugby League. The Ferndale-based 37 year old was appointed head coach of the Wales Wheelchair side in 2014, after a spell in charge of Swindon St George, becoming WRL’s first ever […]
Update on Phased Return to Play Strategy
An update from Gareth Kear, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wales Rugby League… Following a webinar meeting on Wales Rugby League’s ‘phased return to play strategy’ with all key stakeholders including all clubs, match officials, coaches, international pathways and volunteers, I am pleased to confirm that from August 1, outdoor structured and sanctioned rugby league […]