Both Stuart and Chris have come through the IRFU Ulster Branch Schoolboy Referee Programme and that encourages schoolboys to look at refereeing as a positive alternative to playing. The Schoolboy Referee programme allows students to referee matches at an agreed level within their school, with the hope that they will enjoy refereeing, and continue on and undertake the IRFU New Recruits Course. The New Recruits Course is aimed at those who wish to become active referees and join The Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees.

Referee Development Officer, David Wilkinson said, 'I am delighted for both Stuart and Chris. The guys showed real enthusiasm during the course and both are beginning to realise that potential. The opportunity to run the line at these Under 19 World Championship warm-up matches are another exampe of the legacy that will be created by hosting the tournament here. The opportunities that refereeing within the modern game can open up are almost endless, and Stuart and Chris have a very bright future ahead of them'.

IRB U19 WC Legacy for Referees

As part of the Legacy Programme associated with the IRB Under 19 World Championship a number of events have been set up to involve the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees. The USRFR has 115 active members and on Tuesday 3rd April at 6.30pm three of the referees on this year's U19 World Championship panel, Julian Pritchard of Australia, James Jones of Wales and Matt Stannish of New Zealand will lead a fitness session for USRFR members at Shaws' Bridge.

On Wednesday 11th April, all the U19 World Championship referees and their team of performance reviewers will attend the USRFR's monthly meeting at Shaws' Bridge for a Q&A session as well as a demonstration on the performance analysis system used by the IRB, and then on Thursday 19th April, USRFR members will have the opportunity to chat more informally to the IRB U19 referees over a round of golf.