About Us
About the Canterbury Rugby Referees Association
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First formed in 1894, the Canterbury Rugby Referees Association (CRRA) has been the backbone of rugby in our region for over 130 years. From humble beginnings, the CRRA has grown into one of New Zealand's most respected refereeing bodies, producing talented officials at club, domestic and international level. International referees Tom Doocey, Paul Honnis, Vinny Munro and Nicky Ewins (nee Inwood) have all proudly come through the ranks of the CRRA.
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What we do
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Every Saturday from March through to September, CRRA members control in excess of 180 games across Canterbury — covering every level of the game from Club Division 1 right through to U12. During the week, our referees are also out on the paddock covering Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night competitions. When you factor in the Representative season, our members can be actively involved in rugby from early March right through to October — that's up to ten months of the year.
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Behind every game there is far more than the 60 or 80 minutes you see on the field. Our referees commit up to 20 hours a week to their craft, including regional training nights, fitness training, travel and the games themselves. For those covering Ellesmere or North Canterbury, that can mean an hour's travel just to reach the venue.
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Our people
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The CRRA has approximately 250 members across the three Canterbury regions — around 175 active referees supported by 50 coaches and 25 active reserve and fourth officials. Together they serve 48 clubs and approximately 15,000 registered players across the Canterbury region. As Chairman Peter Nelson puts it: "It's the love of the game and the desire to be involved that drives them on." Our membership spans from 15-year-old referees right through to 80-year-old sideline managers — all united by a passion for rugby and the communities it brings together.
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Why it matters
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These men and women are volunteers. Every single one of them gives their time freely because they love the game. Over the years they have refereed some of Canterbury's greatest players — many of whom went on to represent the Crusaders and the All Blacks. Beyond the game itself, our referees help instil respect and discipline in young players that goes far beyond the rugby field.
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The role of a referee takes real courage. Standing in the centre of the field, making split-second decisions under pressure, is not easy — and doing it as a young or inexperienced volunteer in front of vocal sidelines takes genuine commitment. The CRRA asks the entire Canterbury rugby community to recognise that commitment and to treat every referee, at every level, with the respect they deserve.
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Let's all support the Ref
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Canterbury rugby has been blessed with a remarkable sporting heritage — Super Rugby trophies, World Cup winners, and generations of players and volunteers who have given everything to the game. That heritage doesn't happen without the referees. So next time a call doesn't go your way, take a moment, remember what it takes to be out there, and give your referee your full support.
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