2012 Commonwealth Cup has its own page. Click here.
Royal Navy Rugby Union Referees Training Day
Now before all those gnarled old players out there start getting ideas this is not open season on referees but an observation on their recent well received training day.
Keep Up Ref!
The 2012 Royal Navy Rugby Union Referees Society recent training day started with Chairman Andy Coles announcing and awarding last season’s awards; namely the 2011/2012 Admiral Royds Trophy and also the RNRURS Newcomer of the Year Award.
Admiral Royds Trophy
The Admiral Royds trophy was won by Ian Seaton to cap what had been an excellent season which included refereeing the final of the Royal Navy Rugby Union Knockout Cup between HMS Seahawk and HMS Sultan. Ian joins a whose whose list of Navy Rugby Referees who have previously held this prestigious trophy.
RNRURS Newcomer of the Year
The Newcomer of the Year award went to Steve Overvoode. Having watch Steve officiate at Navy Rugby’s regional tens competition I can testify that this is a deserved award for a referee who has a sympathetic style that allows and encourages players to enjoy their rugby.
Well done to both. All the previous winners can be viewed on my Navy Rugby Honours Page which is but a click away.
The Day of Debate
The Navy Referee’s Committee had put on a lively day of debate based around some clips of foul play from the Premiership a long with the experience of professional referee Luke Pearce, Aviva Premiership Assistant Referee (and Navy Referee) Paul Burton and international referee performance recorder Paul Bridgeman.
Luke (24) is regularly seen refereeing in the Aviva Premiership where he is the youngest referee on the list. Navy Rugby aficionados will no doubt remember him refereeing the 2008 Plymouth Albion v Royal Navy clash at Brickfields. His performance that day showcased his undoubted potential, so it is no surprise to see him at referee’s top table. Last season Luke refereed on the IRB HSBC World Series Sevens circuit which of course included former Navy Rugby star, Greg Barden, as England Captain.
Luke was due to be joined in promoting debate by the two Pauls – Burton and Bridgeman. Paul Bridgeman is one of the most respected observes of the game from an officials point of view and is now regularly feeding back on the world’s International referees. Navy Rugby’s own Paul Burton continues to excel at Premiership level but also ensures he keeps himself grounded to the real game by regularly refereeing at unit level. Regrettably PABS couldn’t make the day (last moment call where work gets in the way) which gave more time for the assembled group to hear from Paul Bridgeman.
Luke started the debate off with a presentation (and a practical) on refereeing the breakdown. This started the day on the right track and ensued that debate and development was going to be delivered in equal measure.
With the clips on foul play providing further stimulus it would have soon become obvious (to the proverbial fly on the wall) why refereeing rugby must be one of the hardest tasks in sport.
The day also showed that Navy Rugby Referees remain at the top of the game in terms of how they approach their own development and how they consider the wider Game and its development. Indeed following on from the day’s discussion a question has been sent to the RFU to seek clarification on an issue that may be inconsistently refereed due to the new laws currently being trialled. I will not disclose the question. We can all wait until it is resolved.
The referees were treated to some very candid views from Paul Bridgeman which I hope they listened to and go away and reflect on. Paul’s experience in the game and his straight talking style are not always appreciated by referees when they are delivered at the end of the match but history shows that the message is nearly always one that should be heeded.
The day was the last main event for retiring Navy Referees’ Secretary Tim Bailey but there will be more on that in a later blog. Suffice to say that the day was a great success as described by one former Navy Referee Chairman of worldly experience ““It was probably the most educational Training Day that I have attended. Luke and Paul were both excellent and honest. Many of the debates certainly gave all of us plenty of food for thought – the sessions provided some very lively exchanges!”
So Back Chat is alright as long as its amongst themselves. For the rest of you (us) when your on the pitch its “Sir” or they’ll march you 10!!
Leave a Reply