Referees right in the game

Above: Wellington Premier referees left to right Ben O'Keeffe, Hamish Mexted and Richard Gordon after last year's Jubilee Cup final.

Club Rugby supports the people who control the game - the referees. With the new club rugby season just around the corner, we sat down for an in-depth chat with Wellington Premier referee Richard Gordon about how he got into refereeing, what's great about it and the opportunities now available for referees.

We started by asking Richard about his playing background and how he got into refereeing.

?"I started playing when I was five, and just like any typical kid in New Zealand, absolutely loved everything to do with rugby. I spent two years playing for the Scots College First XV, mainly as a fullback, but I ended up starting every position in the backline. Unfortunately a serious shoulder injury and some naivety and over-eagerness around recovery times has permanently played havoc with my shoulder. I still try to get the occasional game in for Wests U85kg, but refereeing is definitely the number one priority now."

So you started refereeing when you were at school?

?"I've always been passionate about everything to do with rugby, including the rules. I can't remember exactly why I got into refereeing in the first place, but at the start of Year 12 I got in touch with the Wellington Rugby Referees' Association (WRRA), and two days later Ian Dallas the Chairman was giving me a full set of gear and I was running out on Petone number 4 to do an U13 game.

"Two memories that stick out for from that game was awarding ‘my' first try - and then realising the touchie had his flag up back on halfway, and also having to sin-bin a player for repeated high tackles, not having a yellow card and doing the old league signal - 10 fingers. I was hooked already.

"For that first year and a bit I refereed school rugby in the morning, and played for the First XV in the afternoon, it was great times. After my shoulder injury, which was almost a blessing, I've been able to focus on refereeing, and I've certainly come further in refereeing than I would ever have done as a player."

What do you enjoy about refereeing?

"The best part about refereeing is being on the field. Seems obvious, but when you've got a cracking game of rugby between two positive teams, it's just such an enjoyable experience.

"I really enjoy the pressure and challenges that refereeing throws up, especially in those big matches. The pressure is on you to give the game what it needs, and help deliver an entertaining free-flowing game for everyone watching. ?It's a clich?, but it really is the best seat in the house to watch rugby, being involved in games like a heated McBain Shield match, or the Jubilee Cup playoffs, or ARing an ITM Cup game is just such an adrenaline-filled experience."

What about the supporters?

"The community feel about rugby provides a really good vibe. Wellington club rugby has some great characters on the sidelines, and you know you're always welcome to have a yarn with anyone and everyone in the clubrooms afterwards - no-one's shy of an opinion that's for sure!

"The banter that you can have with players, and sometimes with spectators is another reason why refereeing is so enjoyable. I think the ability to laugh at yourself is crucial for a referee, at some stage you're going to fall on your arse, get concussed by a terrible box kick by Peter Sciascia, or something similar.

"Some of the ‘friendly' comments from the sidelines are usually quite entertaining - in the 2013 Jubilee Cup final I made the mistake of turning around after hearing an Ories fan yelling "Touchie", to see him leaning over the fence, beer in one hand, offering me his glasses with the other.

"The elephant in the room here is when these comments take a turn for the worse. Referee abuse is something that shouldn't be tolerated no matter where or by whom. It's quite demoralising for referees, and not everyone is thick-skinned enough to ignore it. There is a shortage of referee numbers at the moment, and abuse doesn't help. However in saying that, it's quite rare, and the majority of people involved in Wellington club rugby are fantastic."

What are the opportunities in refereeing?

"I was really surprised with the amount of opportunities available to referees. I've been lucky enough to go on interchange to Auckland, Christchurch, New Plymouth, various places in the Hurricanes region, as well as Tahiti and Japan for 10 day stays each. Even within Wellington I've had the fortune of being involved as an in-goal judge in the Wellington 7s (and even got to referee a Women's Exhibition Match in 2012 in front of 35,000 people), and ARing ITM Cup. I have to thank the WRRA and its Executive for these opportunities, the WRRA put so much time and effort into their referee's, and without them, these opportunities wouldn't be available. They've played a huge part in my development as a referee, and will continue to do so.

"I'd really recommend anyone who's involved with rugby (or wants to be) to pick up a whistle. The perks of being a referee are awesome, travel, free gear, tickets etc. The opportunities are there for all involved (no matter what Level), and there's no doubt I've made a lot of friends through refereeing with the WRRA. ?Refereeing can also provide a pathway to a potential career, or even just involvement in Heartland Rugby/ITM Cup."

You've recently been selected for a New Zealand Rugby Wider Training Group?

"Yes, part of a group of eight referees that essentially replaces the old Zone Squads. The opportunities there mean I get the chance to travel New Zealand doing representative fixtures.

"Other referees from Wellington have shown that making a career in refereeing is certainly possible - Garratt Williamson and Mike Fraser are both full-time professionals, Ben O'Keeffe is the next superstar - ARing Super Rugby and refereeing ITM Cup - ?Vincent Ringrose has refereed at the Dubai 7s two years running, and his strong performances have seen him picked in the New Zealand Rugby Development Squad, and there are many more referees pushing through the ranks here in Wellington.

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To find out more about being a referee in Wellington please call 0800 REFEREE (0800 7333733) or visit http://www.wrra.org.nz/ for more details.

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