Wayne Barnes, who studied law at the University of East Anglia, became a barrister in London specialising in criminal law. He was called to the Bar in 2002 and, a few days after joining Temple Gardens chambers, refereed his first Premiership rugby match, Bath v Rotherham. In 2005 he became a fulltime professional Referee.

It ,[his move to refereeing] all started at Whitecross School, where he was head boy, in the Forest of Dean. Playing in the second row, a knee injury led him to refereeing and at 15 he did his first match, Bream 3rds v Berry Hill Wappers. Bream, his home village, won.

6/10/2007-World Cup Quarter Final New Zealand v France - Cardiff Match Referee

SORRY SLOWHANDS
NOT QUITE RIGHT WAYNE STARTED HIS RUGBY AT BREAM, WORKING HIS WAY UP THROUGH THE MINI AGE GROUPS WHERE HE WAS COACHED BY CLIVE (MUDGER) JAMES. HE WAS A GREAT LAD ON AND OFF THE FIELD AND VERY WELL LIKED. HE WAS ALSO PART OF THE WHITECROSS SCHOOL UNDER 15`S SUCCESS IN THE SCHOOLS DAILY MAIL CUP HIS PARENTS MUST BE VERY PROUD OF HIS ACHIEVMENTS I KNOW EVERYONE AT BREAM RFC ARE. WELL DONE WAYNE YOU DESERVE IT
TERRY JAMES