For several seasons East Midlands Referees Society members have had an exchange programme running with the Northern California Referees Society USA, based in and around San Francisco. The exchange takes place every other year, with East Midlands referees travelling to the USA in March of one season and the American referees coming to the East Midlands in September of the following season.

This month four East Midlands referees will be bound for San Francisco to spend nearly two weeks refereeing games throughout the state of California. Due to the influx of players from New Zealand , Australia, the Pacific Islands as well as many Brits who work there, the sport is very popular and of a high standard. Laurie Pearson is leading the party along with fellow members Alistair Kirk, Tony Neff and Melanie Magowan. The first weekend they will be guests of the Northern California Referees Society (The Blind Pelicans) and officiating at games in the Bay area, with the exception of Melanie who will be travelling down to San Diego to officiate at the San Diego Women’s 15-a-side tournament.

The party then travels up to Sacramento, the state capital, for the second weekend to referee games including the California High Schools Festival. Exchanges of referees with other societies has always been a tradition of the game and many referees gain experience from taking part in them. For Alistair Kirk this will, due to circumstance, be his first ever official exchange appointment - what a destination!