Whos The Ref ?
The WhosTheRef.com website makes life easy for all those involved in appointing officials to any type of sports fixture.
- Easily manage the appointment of officials to any sports fixture
- The match officials can accept or decline appointments using the website, email or text message
- The clubs confirm direct with the match official
- All done... You relax!!
WhosTheRef.com can use multiple forms of communication to make your job as easy as possible. By default, appointments are sent out via email, but a text message facility is also available. The match official then clicks a link in the email, or returns a text, to confirm or accept the appointment. The online database is then instantly updated.
Additional Functions
WhosTheRef.com provides a complete database facility so all the information about your officals, teams and fixtures can all be stored in one easy to use online database. Access to all information is strictly limited to only those with permission to view it.
Its an excellent tool for the recruitment and retention of officials - monitor their grading history and frequency of assessments; new potential referees can request membership via a public application form.
Chosen by Scottish Rugby
In Nov 2009 Scottish Rugby chose to upgrade to whostheref.com from there previous preferred supplier, American based assignbyweb.net.The new appointments system went live on 4th Jan 2010 and has since been used to successfully manage all appointments throughout the country, from International Tests to junior rugby.
Former International Referee Jim Fleming: "It was a godsend to go into partnership with WTR after our previous provider went into liquidation. We in Scotland have discovered that not only is WTR very people friendly in its application, but that it ticks all the boxes we require to make the appointment of our match officials a straightforward task. WTR has been welcomed not only by all our match official but also by the clubs we serve. Rather than being a "fait accompli" WTR continues to work with the SRU to provide additional enhancements to cover amongst other things as report writing and disciplinary matters." J Fleming July 2010.
Jim is currently the referee's High Performance Manager for the Scottish Rugby Union.
And also by cricket....
From April 2010, whostheref.com will be used by Bristol & Western Counties Association of Cricket Umpires & Scorers - thought to be the oldest match officials association of any sport in the world. Their neighbours Wiltshire Association of Cricket Officials have also subscribed, enabling the two organisations to share best practise.
During Summer 2010 WTR have been negotiating with the English Cricket Board to develop a trial across a number of ACO's (Association of Cricket Officials) to demonstrate how a formal appointments system can assist in the monitoring and development of match officials. Further information will be released on the News page.
The Originator
The WhosTheRef.com project was conceived and developed by Mark Brown of the internet services provider MRB i.s. Ltd, with grateful assistance from Graham Cross and Jim Scoles of the Norfolk Rugby Union Referees Society.
Whos-the-ref.com / whos-the-umpire.com - Current Users
This UK map indicates the sports organisations that are currently using whos-the-ref.com or whos-the-umpire.com (cricket). Nine other major organisations are currently running trials and will be added to the map as soon as they go live.