The main difference between these rugby referee whistles is whether they operate as an airfast or pea whistle. Pea whistles are a true classic, and allow the user to create a range of sounds at different volumes, depending on how hard the whistle is blown. The pea inside the body of the whistle rolls as air passes through the chamber, creating a trilling cry that can convey plenty of meaning. Airfast whistles do not contain a pea and rely on lung power alone. Airfast referee whistles can achieve higher volumes than pea whistles, but the sound cannot be varied by differing the blow rate. They emit a piercing call which can be ideal for large pitches, and when multiple games are being played side by side.

Imagine a game of football played entirely without the referee’s whistle - there would be confusion on the pitch, and the players wouldn’t know when to stop for half time or when a foul had been committed; this really highlights the important role that the referee whistle plays in our favourite sports. Trusted for generations, ACME sports whistles can be found all over the world being used by sports referee's in small local leagues and world famous international competitions alike.

ACME Whistles have a one of a kind claim to fame in that we produced the world’s first whistle specially designed for sporting purposes. Developed in 1884, the ACME Thunderer quickly became a sporting icon due to it’s reliably consistent performance on the pitch. Our referee's whistles remain the whistles of choice for officials and referees all over the world, including FIFA, England Netball and Hockey Canada. They have been used extensively in sporting competitions such as the Olympics for generations, with a huge surge in the popularity of our sports whistles in the 1950s and 1960s across five continents.

We still produce the original ACME Thunderer which forms the core of our range of referee whistles, and we’re proud to say that they are still made at our factory on Barr Street, Birmingham. Furthermore, our referee whistles are largely hand tooled using original machinery from the turn of the century. This level of care and attention to detail allows us to produce a superior product; once you have used an ACME whistle and seen the quality for yourself, copies and imitations simply don’t pass muster.

As our sports whistles have grown in popularity the need for refs whistles with different specifications became apparent to us. We have therefore spent time developing and expanding the range of sports whistles we produce, and the ACME Thunderer is now available in 8 different specifications. The modern range of referee whistles also includes airfast whistle models such as the ACME Tornado and the Cyclone, as well as plastic versions of the original refs whistle, the ACME Thunderer, which are ideal for cold climates and are more gentle on the hands and mouth than their metal counterparts. You are sure to find your perfect referee or umpire whistle among our sports whistles range, whichever sport ingnites your passion.