Pfitzy
Jason Little (69)
Agree that is a top post from @Eyes and Ears
Yep. I have reffed a few matches recently and while I can let the occasional comment go, some of the players carry on like professional soccer players and I have had to march both sides in the same game as the momentum shifts.
I'm not as dedicated as some of the good refs
but my opening line in every pre-match to both playing groups: "My aim is to try and make less mistakes than all of you put together."
It is a little ice breaker and reminder that we're playing for the love of the game, not for sheep stations. While we want to compete and see good rugby, ultimately we all want to try and enjoy it, and that includes the referees.
I'd love more of the sideline crowd to pick up a flag or a whistle and help the game out. Particularly the Premier Clubs.
* Abuse of referees has become an even bigger problem. Perhaps it is an outcome of poor performances but it creates a perpetuating cycle as more referees are lost. Behaviour at grounds has become an issue too (just check out the GPS and CAS forums re poor crowd behaviour at schoolboy matches).
Yep. I have reffed a few matches recently and while I can let the occasional comment go, some of the players carry on like professional soccer players and I have had to march both sides in the same game as the momentum shifts.
* Most referees dedicate a lot of time to rugby - fitness training, education nights, extra games, juniors matches, midweek catchup games, sevens, womens tournaments or just to be an Assistant Referee for the next game. Sometimes they have poor games. Some learn a lot from these matches and get much better. Others repeat the same mistakes. I am sure we have all seen this in other parts of our lives.
I'm not as dedicated as some of the good refs
It is a little ice breaker and reminder that we're playing for the love of the game, not for sheep stations. While we want to compete and see good rugby, ultimately we all want to try and enjoy it, and that includes the referees.
I'd love more of the sideline crowd to pick up a flag or a whistle and help the game out. Particularly the Premier Clubs.