Top-flight coaching on the way for refs

Bay of Plenty-based New Zealand Rugby referees Paul Honiss (left) and Bryce Lawrence (centre) will be in Gisborne this month. They are pictured with another BoP New Zealand Rugby referee Glen Jackson. Bay of Plenty Times picture

RUGBY

RUGBY referees will get top-flight tuition in Gisborne this month.

The session focuses on coaching referees and it will be the first time New Zealand Rugby has brought one of its regional referee development workshops to Poverty Bay.

Former test referees Bryce Lawrence and Paul Honiss will make the trip.

In the past, Poverty Bay referees have had to travel to Hawke’s Bay or Bay of Plenty to attend the workshop, which focuses on identifying talent and equipping referees for their task.

The workshop, on February 25, is open to all referees in Poverty Bay and Ngati Porou East Coast.

Lawrence is the national referee manager and Honiss coaches top-line referees. Referee development manager Matt Peters and community rugby manager Trevor Howard will also visit.

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chief executive Josh Willoughby said the union was excited about hosting Lawrence and his team.

Willoughby said the union was committed to providing a better service and recruited for a referee development manager.

“I’m excited to announce the appointment of former Gisborne Boys’ High School student and professional rugby player Miah Nikora to a referee game development manager role,” he said.

“Miah’s appointment is the start of a new chapter for the union and the Poverty Bay Rugby Referees Association.”

People can register for the workshop by contacting Nikora (miah@povertybayrugby.co.nz).