Taylor became passionate about the sport as a youngster when he started playing for Paraparaumu Beach School in a weekly primary school competition at Mazengarb Reserve during the summer.
“I enjoyed the game and meeting people. At that age, it was all about having fun.”
It was also ideal pre-season training for rugby union during the winter.
By the time he was at Kāpiti College, he put his hand up to coach at his former primary school, which he did for a bit until schoolwork became too much.
But one day he decided to go to the registration desk, at the start of the primary school competition at the reserve and asked to referee.
Samuel Taylor has been selected to be a referee at the Touch World Cup. Photo / David Haxton
“That’s how it started.”
His confidence soared, especially under the welcoming and family feel of the sport, and he was soon helping referee tournaments further afield in the Horowhenua District.
“It made me fall in love with the game more and I haven’t looked back.”
He’s referred at national tournaments including secondary school, youth, open and masters as well as internationally at youth transtasman and a youth Asia Pacific cup.
Locally he referees adult games at the reserve on Friday nights during the summer.
Being a touch rugby referee requires fitness and a sharp eye for things like off-side, incorrect ball roll, forward passes and more.
“There are three referees on the field which makes life a bit easier.
“There are two support referees and a control referee, and we rotate throughout the game.”
Taylor is regarded as one of the top touch rugby referees in the country and was ranked ninth after the recent junior nationals.
He has a level four (black badge) which is the highest qualification a touch rugby referee can obtain.
Taylor, who referees premier grade rugby union games for the Horowhenua-Kāpiti competition, is busy raising about $6000 to help pay for things like air flights, referee fee and more.
