Otago Rugby Referees' Association chairman Shane McKenzie said it was looking at a referee shortfall of somewhere between 30%-40%.
The aim was to have about 60 referees to cover all club grades from premier to under-14. But that seemed unlikely, with many referees leaving and not enough taking up the whistle.
The ranks have taken a particular blow in the premier level, the top two referees from last year both having moved on.
In 2010, Tim Baker transferred to Wellington, while Ross Barnett, who was ranked No 1 in the province, moved to Wellington in the middle of last year.
This year, the cleanout has continued.
New No 1 ranked referee Ben O'Keefe has transferred to Wellington to continue his medical studies; Liam Scanlon, the No 2, has moved to Christchurch; and David Kennedy has indicated he only wishes to referee lower grade games because of an injury.
Todd Pullar has hung up his boots, while Doug Rodgers is unsure whether he will pick up the whistle again.
There were a lot of university students who were referees but many of them had graduated and moved on.
Other referees over the past couple of years have moved away from Dunedin for career reasons.
A few older referees were likely to get back into the role to help the shortfall, but McKenzie said it was a job for people of any age and any level of fitness.
It was usually difficult to get enough referees at the start of the season, but this year seemed especially bad.
Numbers were no better in the Otago Country area, where referees were getting older and not being replaced.
The association had to move its clubrooms this season after previously being based at Carisbrook. It had found new headquarters at the Logan Park Bowling Club and McKenzie said that it was both close to the new stadium and the university, which was the biggest source of new referees.
Pullar is also the union's referee development officer, and his immediate future is unclear because of the financial problems facing the Otago union.
McKenzie said if the association was unable to get enough personnel, then some of the secondary school grades would not have referees and assistant referees, who ran the touchline, would not operate in some higher grade games.
Those interested in refereeing should contact shanedmckenzie@gmail.com
