Carlisle RFC boasts a successful Club Referee Society that includes officials operating in the National Leagues down to Level 10. The referees regularly give up their Sunday mornings to officiate games for the U16s down to U13s fifteen a side fixtures. At present there is a pool of around eight active referees in the club. The club society are proudly sponsored by Benfield and have their own referee kit.

Ben Blain is responsible for appointing the referees to the weekly games at Warwick Road and comments; " We are extremely proud and grateful for the work our volunteers put in on a Sunday morning. Martin Plummer did a great job getting Benfield on board with the sponsorship as this helped to broaden our image within the club. To be in a position to appoint neutral officials to fifteen a-side games at each age group is a privilege and something a lot of clubs across the country would love to to be able to emulate. Our coaches love knowing that they will have a qualified match official for their home games and I regularly keep in contact with them to discuss how things are going. It is important we continue to build and generate rapport as the youth players work through the club."

Ben has recently held a couple of club evenings for the officials, club coaches and U15s and 16s players on topics 'The Tackle' and 'Managing Foul Play'. He says; "It was great to see the turnouts we got at each event. There was a good spread from each role and some good input and discussion. We wanted to give our players and coaches a bit more on what we are looking for at the tackle as this would help all involved in the game."

After joining Cumbria Referee Society in 2010, Ben was promoted onto the RFU National Panel of Referees in November 2014 and regularly operates in National 2 North & South. Last week he took charge of Gloucester V Exeter Chiefs Under 18s in the premiership academy finals at the Saracens Allianz Park, and will be on the line for England v Scotland Under 18s on 8th March at Newcastle before heading down to the BMW International Festival of Rugby at Wellington in April. If anybody is interested in getting involved as match official at club or county level they can contact Ben on benji_b_9@hotmail.co.uk o r 07827298911 .

We all enjoy our Game, but sadly there are too many who reap the rewards of enjoyment when playing, but signally fail to put something back in return after retiring. Rugby can’t exist without willing referees; so, think about and think seriously about taking up the whistle, thus ensuring that all the young folk coming through the club can enjoy all the benefits we have all had over the years.