SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX
RUGBY REFEREE SOCIETY
Clive Nicholas
President
I started my refereeing career in Suffolk in 1974, and re-joined the Society 14 years ago on moving back to the county. When I left Suffolk in 1978 I became active in the London Society during which time I held a number of appointments (including that of President).
After having to retire from refereeing early, I took up assessing and was fortunate enough to be appointed to the RFU Panel of Assessors and to become an accredited IRB (now World Rugby) Assessor which saw me assess at a high level as well as being appointed as one of the 2 Volunteer Selectors for the RFU Referees Panel.
Since returning to Suffolk I have been working with the Eastern Counties Assessors as well as doing a few assessments myself !
Three years ago I was privileged to be asked to become the President of Eastern Counties Referee Federation a position I still hold and this season (2024/2025) was again privileged to be asked to become the President of Suffolk and North Essex Referee Society.
I hope that my tenure of both these posts can assist in advancing refereeing in Eastern Counties.
Ross Cowie
Chairman/Appointments/Safeguarding
I have been refereeing for 39 years, the first 25 of which were with The London Society, and was fortunate to reach levels 5 & 6. I am now old, and too slow!
Heavily involved at Colchester as Chairman of Youth Rugby, Fixture Secretary & Referee Coordinator, I am also Age Grade Rugby Lead for Eastern Counties. A glutton for punishment, I am also Secretary to the RFU Age Club Advisory Group (CB Age Grade Leads) and represent them on the RFU’s Education & Age Grade Committee.
My role within the Referee Society is to lead the committee, and pull things together, supporting our other committee members. I look after the Sunday & Midweek Appointments, act as Safeguarding Officer & lead the YMO program.
07786 332930
Dr James Hill
Secretary
James’ role within the Society is to organize meetings, and lead our communication process, and with Ross lead on Discipline matters.
Ryan McAlister
Saturday Appointments
I started refereeing with the North Midlands Society in 2017 before transferring to Suffolk a year later when work brought me to East Anglia. I have been fortunate to be assisted by the society to progress from grade 10 to now refereeing at grade 7 across Eastern Counties as, and in 2020 took on the role of Saturday appointments manager for the society.
Ryan has the critical task of managing our Saturday appointments, and reappointments, ensuring as many matches as possible are covered, and as many referees as possible have games.
Paul Storey
Grading Officer
Paul Storey is our Grading Officer and is responsible for the Grading of our Referees. He also appoints Match Developers (Ref Assessors and Ref Coaches ) to watch our Referees and aid their development.
Paul is an active Referee Coach himself.
David Upson
Treasurer
David looks after the Society’s finances, paying Referee Expenses, and charging our member clubs & schools.
Claire Brickley
Training Officer
Having played senior women's rugby at Woodbridge RFC, Claire decided to pick up the whistle as a female match official. Claire manages our monthly training meeting program, and presents the Introduction to Refereeing Courses for prospective new referees. Claire also takes care of all of our social media sites and helps to promote our society.
Colin Edmond
Recruitment Officer
I started my involvement with rugby aged 16, eventually making it to be captain of Maldon
Colts aged 18. During this time, I refereed several games for Maldon. I then had a career in
the Merchant Navy which curtailed my involvement in rugby. I came ashore in 1985 and
decided I was too old to play again and took up the whistle. I joined the society in 1987 and
became appointments secretary in the early 1990’s. After over 20 years in this role, I
became the recruitment and retention officer for the society. A role with the challenge of
getting club members and coaches involved in refereeing especially youth games on a
Sunday morning.
Other Volunteers
Bruce Woodcock
International Tickets
Mallory Bolter
Kit Manager/Web Master
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