High Performance Centre, 52 Miro Street, Mount Maunganui P ... Free... · Section Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Pathway 5 3. Five Bay of Plenty Referee Stories a. Shane McDermott 11 b

High Performance Centre, 52 Miro Street, Mount Maunganui

P: 07 574 2037 F: 07 574 2046 W: www.boprugby.co.nz

boprugbyreferees @BOPRugby @boprugby BOPRugbyUnion

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© 2015 Bay Of Plenty Rugby Union boprugby.co.nz/community-rugby/referees/

Section Page

1. Introduction 3

2. Pathway 5

3. Five Bay of Plenty Referee Stories

a. Shane McDermott 11

b. Nick Briant 12

c. Mate Samuels 13

d. Brett Johnson 14

e. Glen Jackson 15

4. Conclusion 15

5. Where To From Here 16

6. Some Useful Resources 17

7. About The Author 18

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Hi, I’m Pat Rae, Referee Manager for Bay of Plenty Rugby and

if you’re reading this free e-book, then chances are, you’ve

shown some interest in becoming a rugby referee. Well done

on popping your name and details into the boxes on the

website. By doing do, you’ve already proven you’re an

ACTION TAKER, because you’ve taken your first step towards

achieving that goal and as well all know, ACTION TAKERS get

results, while procrastinators don’t.

So, let me ask you a question:

If you had the choice of seats at a Bledisloe Cup Test between the All Blacks and the

Wallabies, I’m pretty sure, you’d choose a corporate box on the half way line with free food

and drink right? Of course you would. However, the next best seat in the house, in my

opinion, is right up close to the action. Television broadcasters are doing their utmost to

bring you as close to the action without leaving your living room by putting a camera on the

referee’s chest. That’s just one such initiative.

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Whether you want to referee the All Blacks, or simply your local under 6’s, there’s definitely

an opportunity for you to get involved and in this free e-book, I’m going to show you just

what steps you need to take in order to fulfil that goal, of becoming a rugby referee here in

the Bay. Now rather than simply write down the basic steps, I’m going to take a slightly

different tact.

We’ve chosen five current Bay of Plenty Rugby referees, from different walks of life,

different ages, different rugby experiences and different backgrounds.

You’re going to simply read about their story of how they got to where they currently are

today. We’ve chosen these five people for a very specific reason. Chances are one of them

is exactly like you. In fact, I bet they were standing in your exact shoes, just prior to when

they considered taking up refereeing and come to think about it, I bet they now wished that

they had this exact same e-book to read before they took up refereeing, so they could get

the best chance of starting what’s become a fairly enjoyable rugby pastime and that is to

referee rugby.

But before I introduce you to them individually, let’s first take a look at your potential

pathway to the top. You see, just like rugby players have a pathway to achieve the pinnacle

of playing and that is to represent the All Blacks, so too is there a pathway for referees.

Unfortunately, New Zealand referees will never be able to referee the All Blacks, and while

they remain strong and keep making the Rugby World Cup playoff’s New Zealand referees

will never be able to referee RWC play off matches involving the All Blacks, it’s still a pretty

prestige milestone to be a New Zealand referee officiating at that level.

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From the flowcharts above, you’ll fall into 1 of three categories, either a high school

student, a parent/coach of a JAB child playing rugby, or you’re an ex-player.

This is potentially, where most of our referees come from and as the flow chart clearly

outlines, there’s a large number of different pathways for you to rise through the refereeing

ranks to reach the top and our five referees who I’ll profile in this free e-book have come

from different pathways and are currently at different stages.

In summary, everyone who wishes to become a referee undergoes some form of

introductory training course. (You Make The Call Course for high school students, Associate

Referee Course for parents/coaches of JAB rugby teams and Introduction to Rugby

Refereeing Course for everyone else)

From there you can begin your refereeing career where ever you feel the most comfortable.

For some, they prefer refereeing RIPPA rugby (under 6’s – 7’s) for others, they like to start

off a little higher (under 10’s – 13’s).

For those that feel comfortable starting off at secondary schools or higher, in order to do

this you’re required to join one of the three Bay of Plenty Sub Union Referee groups.

(Western Bay of Plenty based in Tauranga, Central Bay of Plenty based in Rotorua and

Eastern Bay of Plenty based in Whakatane)

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It is here that real and tangible referee coaching, training and support is provided to you.

Hidden amongst the Referee Sub Unions is a dedicated group of current and former

referees who spend hours watching referees (both in person and through video analysis) to

provide you with both verbal and written feedback on your performance. Referee Coaches

are the unsung and unseen heroes of Referees Associations globally for little is known about

them within the wider rugby community.

In the olden days referee coaches used to hide in the bushes and assess your performance

secretly, usually to the detriment of the referee. Now it’s more open, honest and up front.

Rather than assess you, referee coaches now coach you. They help you get better by

sometimes showing you what to do, but usually they question you to self-diagnose your

issues and then guide you on the path of self-discovery so that you come up with solutions

to your problems yourself.

Unlike players who have coaches yelling and screaming instructions at them from the side

lines, usually going in one ear and out the other, you are all alone.

It’s just you out there, with no assistant referees on the side line and no referee coach

sitting in the grand stands, so you are given the skills to self-diagnose problems as they

occur and then problem solve on the run.

On top of this, the three Bay of Plenty Sub Union Referee groups meet regularly in their own

towns weekly/fortnightly or however is deemed appropriate. Both classroom and field

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based training and development workshops and education sessions are held. It is here that

your best learning is done.

The Bay of Plenty is spoilt for riches when it comes to top class referees. At the time of

writing, we currently have five of New Zealand’s top match officials and referee

coaches/selectors right on our door step. Glen Jackson, Nick Briant and Shane McDermott

are all regular match officials on our televisions at Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup level.

Bryce Lawrence, himself a former top class international test referee is now one of our New

Zealand Panel Referee Coaches and a little known secret is that Errol Brain, former Maori All

Black, Counties captain, barnstorming, ball carrying Number 8 and former coach of Portugal

is now involved with SANZAR as a Match official selector and he too lives right here in the

Bay of Plenty. On top of this, we have one of the best strength and conditioning set ups in

New Zealand.

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So if you wanted to get started as a referee, then the Bay of

Plenty is definitely the place to do it, simply because of the

fact we have the best set up and the best match officials

right here to help you.

Once you join one of our Sub Union referee groups, the pathway from there is pretty

straight forward. As you become better at your craft you climb the referee ladder from

Secondary Schools under 14’s through to 1st XV, then into Saturday afternoon rugby,

women’s, colts, 2nd division, 1st division and development rugby.

Our elite Premier Panel referees are required to fulfil a number of criteria to achieve the

Premier Panel. This includes being deemed competent by the Head Referee Coach to be

appointed to Premier fixtures as well as stringent fitness levels (18.1 in a YOYO Test) and an

honours pass (90% or greater) in the annual NZRU law exam. On top of this our Premier

Referees are our leaders. They pass on their knowledge and experience by coaching

younger referees as well as lead the Training and Development sessions.

I’ve bored you long enough, let’s hear from some of our home grown referees in no

particular order. So, without further ado, let me introduce to you our very first referee.

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Shane McDermott

Hi, my name is Shane McDermott and I’m

a former player.

I played 1st 5/8 and achieved quite a high

level during my playing career including

Southland Rep Teams - U14 to

Development, North Otago NPC 1999, Southland Stags -1997 & 2003

I retired from playing in 2003 and took up refereeing in 2005.

My 1st class refereeing career as at the 1st February 2013 includes,

National Referee Squad debut – 2006

Total First Class Fixtures – 50

Air New Zealand Cup – 4

Mitre 10 Cup – 9

Heartland Championship – 32

Other - 5

FAVOURITE FOOD – Pasta

FAVOURITE FILM - Shawshank Redemption / Friday Series

MOST ADMIRED PLAYER - David Kirk, Simon Culhane

MOST ADMIRED REFEREE - Keith Brown

PASTIMES OUTSIDE RUGBY - Time with Lisette, Caide and Lucas, Golf, Cycling, Training

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Nick Briant

Hi my name is Nick Briant and while I am

too a former player (hooker), I never

achieved any representative honours as

a player.

An Agricultural Engineer by profession, I

took up refereeing when injury

prevented me from playing. I’m an advocate of the old adage: ‘Every game is someone’s test

match’

I finished playing in 2001 and started refereeing in 2002 and made my National Referee

Squad debut in 2009. In 2013, I was appointed to the Super Xv referee panel.

Total First Class Fixtures – 7

AA Rewards Heartland Championship - 7

4 Super XV matches this year, plus pre-season and Pacific Rim Cup matches.

6 Mitre 10 Cup fixtures.

I’ve controlled 7’s matches on the International World Series circuit.

FAVOURITE FOOD – Fish

FAVOURITE FILM – The Castle

MOST ADMIRED PLAYER – Sean Fitzpatrick

MOST ADMIRED REFEREE – Phil Barnett

PASTIMES OUTSIDE RUGBY - Water skiing, fishing, diving, camping, running.

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Mate Samuels

Hi, my name is Mate Samuels. I started

playing rugby as a 5 year old for Te

Puna and played right through to

premier level. I played for Bay of Plenty

through my college years as well as for

Tauranga Boys 1st XV, Bay of Plenty

Maori's, Western Bay seniors.

I have only ever been registered to two clubs, one being Te Puna and the other being my

home of Matakana Island. I started refereeing at the end of 2013 but fulltime since 2014

and am currently in the Premier panel.

I took up refereeing just as a bit of fun thinking it wouldn't be that hard but then I found it a

real challenge and I'm always up for a challenge.

Most admired referee: Craig Joubert and Bryce Lawrence as they make the flow of their

positioning look so simple and natural.

I don't have any rituals or superstitions as such but I like to lay my referee gears and after

match clothes out before I do anything else. My most memorable game to date was

probably my first premier game. Not because I did a great job but because I called it off

early due to an all in brawl. I am glad to say it has been a lot better since then.

The most embarrassing moment for me is probably forgetting to put a conversion down on

my score card in a 7's semi-final and just about made the teams play extra time. Thank God

there was a score board.

Outside of rugby, I am into my boxing, running, spending time with my family and Church.

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Brett Johnson

Hi, my name is Brett Johnson. I too am a former player including Waikato Secondary

Schools, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and South Canterbury Premier player, Bay of Plenty

Development and South Canterbury NPC.

I started refereeing in 2011 and am currently a Premier referee. As well as this I’m actively

referee coaching and involved in recruiting

I referee because I love the game and thrive on challenging myself.

My most admired referee is Glen Jackson

Rituals or superstitions around (your) refereeing: I always check my gear bag 3 times

before leaving the house!

Most memorable game: Whakawerawera vs Rotoiti Premier match 2105, so much passion

and skill shown in stormy wet conditions. What a match!

Funniest or most embarrassing moment: First game I ever refereed – U14’s - a fight broke

out and I grabbed both of the players involved by the scruff of the neck and pulled them

apart yelling at them!

I was advised by the referee coach after the match that you never touch the players or get

involved in the physical confrontation, my bad!

Interests outside refereeing: Spending time with my family, training, landscaping and

mowing lawns!

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Glen Jackson

Full time professional referee, having started

refereeing in NZ in 2010

By end of 2011 was refereeing Super XV

2012 NZ Referee of the Year

Bay of Plenty Sports Awards Finalist 2012

8 ITM Cup games, including the Championship semi-final between Canterbury and

Auckland, and the Premiership Final between Tasman and Hawkes Bay

10 Super XV matches across three countries

2 Internationals appointments, in England and Georgia, plus Assistant Referee duties

in Italy, England, Scotland, Fiji, Australia

Super Rugby referee

Rugby Championship Referee

ITM Cup Referee

100 1st class appointments as a referee. (Add this to his 100 1st class games as a

player)

Rugby World Cup Referee

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Well there you have it, five different stories of how some of our current crop of referees got

to where they are now, from those early beginnings. Some have been involved for a

number of years, while others are just starting their referee journey. Journeys are meant to

be enjoyed, rather than rushing to the end point or destination without stopping along the

way to enjoy the view, smell the roses and discover new things about you.

There are many benefits to refereeing.

It’s a great way to stay involved without the contact, collisions and waking up sore

the next day.

It’s the 2nd best seat in the house behind the corporate box on half way with free

food and drink.

Once you’ve referee’ed 4 games for your local Sub Union Referee’s group, you get a

free referee jersey valued at $150.00.

All Bay of Plenty referees get free entry into all Mitre 10 Cup home games.

Referee’s regularly travel to other provinces and overseas to referee. The Bay of

Plenty send match officials as far away as The Gold Coast (air fares and

accommodation provided)

Subscriptions for 1st year referees are ZERO, ZILCH, ZIP, NADDA!! 2nd year refs pay

$40.00 (unless you’re a student) in which case it’s only $20.00.

Depending on where you’re coming from and your aspirations you’ve got three choices:

High School Student – YMTC Course

Parent/Coach of JAB Child – Associate Referee Course

Ex Player – First Year Referee Course

The best thing to do if you’re deadly keen to get started NOW is to give me a call 07-547-

4684 or 029-487-8429 or send me an email [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Here are some useful resources for you to get you started

http://www.boprugby.co.nz/downloads/World_Rugby_Laws_2017_EN.pdf

I-PHONE: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irb-laws-of-rugby/id403213587?mt=8

I-PAD: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/irb-laws-of-rugby-for-ipad/id467518127?mt=8

ANDRIOID: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.worldrugby.lawsofrugby

http://www.boprugby.co.nz/community-rugby/referees/

When: Tuesday’s starting at 7.3000pm every week Where: BNZ, 607-613 Cameron Road Tauranga NB: Entry from the rear of building where there is plenty of parking

Contact: 07-547-4684 or 029-487-8429, [email protected]

When: Monday’s starting at 7.00pm every fortnightly Where: Rotorua International Stadium, Devon Street Rotorua


When: Tuesday’s starting at 6.30pm every fortnightly Where: Dick Littlejohn Pavilion,

Rugby Park Whakatane


http://www.boprugby.co.nz/downloads/World_Rugby_Laws_2017_EN.pdf

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/irb-laws-of-rugby/id403213587?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/irb-laws-of-rugby-for-ipad/id467518127?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.worldrugby.lawsofrugby

http://www.boprugby.co.nz/community-rugby/referees/




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Pat began his rugby career in the early 70’s playing on Auckland’s North Shore at Glenfield. In 1978, he spent 2 years living in Tauranga during intermediate schooling and played for Greerton. Between 1980-84, Pat attended St Stephens School, where in 1982, he captained their under 15 team in winning the National Under 15 Championship. He made the 1st XV in 1983-84 and went on to represent New Zealand at Under 16, Under 18 & Under 21, including touring the UK in Graham Henry’s New Zealand Secondary Schools team with the Bay’s Operations Manager Neil Alton. In 1985, Pat joined the New Zealand Police, with his 13 year career taking him to South Auckland, Putaruru, the Hawkes Bay as a dog handler and then back to South Auckland on promotion. During this time he continued to play representative rugby for Counties Colts, Waikato B and Hawkes Bay NPC side that beat both the British Lions in 1993 and France in 1994. He also gained representative honours for New Zealand Police and New Zealand Combined Services in those same years. In 1995, injury forced Pat to take up refereeing initially in Counties, but then in 1997 in Brisbane, where he refereed over 50 premier grade games in Brisbane between 1999 – 2004. He is a 2 time recipient of the “Kerry Fitzgerald” Medal for the Best Referee in Queensland as voted by the Premier Grade Coaches. 5 years living in Melbourne saw him appointed to the Melbourne Premier Grade Grand final in 2007. He’s refereed at the various Australian aged group championships, School Boy Internationals, under 20 matches, as well as been involved in the IRB 7’s series and Super 12 matches as television match official and assistant referee. Pat retired from serious active refereeing after his grand final appointment in 2007 to become a referee coach where he rose the coaching ranks to become a Premier Grade Referee Coach, firstly in Melbourne, then again back in Brisbane in 2010. He was a Performance Reviewer during Australia’s inaugural National Rugby Championship in 2014. Incidentally, he was appointed as Performance Reviewer for the grand final of the NRC. He is also a 2 time recipient of the Don Duffell and Phil Jones Award for his contribution to referee coaching in Queensland in 2011 and 2014. And if that wasn’t enough he is an accredited Level 1 Player Coach, coaching his son’s rugby team, the mighty Sunnybank Under 10 Green Machine unbeaten in 3 years. A qualified strength and conditioning coach he was recently employed by both the Queensland Rugby Union Referees and the Brisbane Rugby League Referees Associations as their S & C Coach and prior to moving to the Bay he owned his own Personal Training Studio and Massage Therapy clinic. Married with 3 children and a grandfather, Pat sings, plays the guitar and was once voted the 2nd best father of the year.

Documents

High Performance Centre, 52 Miro Street, Mount Maunganui P ... Free... · Section Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Pathway 5 3. Five Bay of Plenty Referee Stories a. Shane McDermott 11 b