First 2026 IRL Match Officials Course delivered in Scotland

• In 2025 IRL launched the most expansive investment into grassroots game development in its history
• The technical education project objective is to ensure that every IRL member nation is able to produce its own coaches and match officials, through accredited local educators
• The IRL's system focuses heavily on continuing technical development between courses, to ensure that acquired knowledge turns into maturing understanding of the game, higher technical standards and an authentically developed sport
• The project is underpinned by state of the art e-learning management systems and coaching resources

IRL Tutor Rebecca Whiteley delivered the first IRL Match Official Level 1 course in Edinburgh as International Rugby League's techical education program for 2026 got underway.

The candidates, attending from a range of backgrounds and geographies in Scotland, were lead through the course, which took place at the University of Edinburgh’s Peffermill campus on May 2, before undertaking a practical assessment.

“It was a great course and there was a lot of enthusiasm in the room” Whiteley explained. “There were plenty of questions throughout the day and the candidates learned plenty that they didn’t know and were able to confirm some of their prior knowledge throughout the course.”

All candidates have now been added to the IRL Technical Education Portal, a state of the art learning management system, where they will be able to complete their course review and receive their competency assessment.

At that point candidates will be certified and be able to proceed to undertake their post course work, known as CATO, as the 2026 season kicks off under the remote supervision of Whiteley.

Other certified match officials in Scotland will also be added to the TEP so that they too can undertake CATO in preparation for a return visit by IRL to deliver Level 2 Match Official training, with the ultimate aim to have at least two qualified Match Official Level 1 Educators qualified in Scotland.

“We’re very grateful to IRL for delivering the course and for helping us increase our pool of officials” added Scotland Rugby League’s Operations Director Barry McGuffog.

“We will be encouraging everyone officiating in Scotland to complete their CATO work for their own self development and as part of improving standards of officiating in our domestic competition.”