Love of the game drives referees at Maori Touch Nationals

Whakatane's Kiri Martin (left) and Greg Scott have been refereeing at Maori Touch Nationals since the tournament started 20 years ago. Photo / David Beck

The Maori Touch Nationals, like many sporting events, are made possible by dedicated volunteer referees who give up their own time to command a whistle.

Two of the most dedicated of this year's team of more than 70 referees were Whakatane's Kiri Martin and Greg Scott, who have been involved since the tournament's inception in 1998.

"The best thing is making lifelong friends and having the opportunity to travel," Watson said.

"It's all whanau-oriented and I just love it. I look forward to this tournament every year. I just enjoy it, meeting everyone, new and old, and sharing my experience."

She said she was not initially interested in touch, but her husband was a referee.

"One time I went to watch and some of the management said 'we really need some female refs'. I've played touch with the family and didn't really enjoy playing, but I started reffing local games in Whakatane, that's where it all started.

"You're always learning, it doesn't matter how long you've been doing it. I stick in there for the love of it and we try and bring new, young referees through to keep it going. Being out there running around also keeps me moving and keeps me mobile."

Martin achieved a lifetime goal last year when she refereed at the Touch World Cup in Sydney.

"That was one of my big goals - the atmosphere and travelling and just everything was amazing. I try and tell people that being a referee gives you the chance to travel, meet people and make lifelong friends."

Scott, a former player, started refereeing when he was playing in a competition during which teams had to supply their own refs.

"Every team would have a designated referee and I used to get that job. From there the module co-ordinator said 'hey, how about just refereeing?'.

"I was reffing in Whakatane and the organisers suggested I go and get some more experience at the first Maori Touch Nationals in Hopuhopu. It was so enjoyable - the excitement of the games and the whanaungatanga, that friendship and bond you share with everyone here," Scott said.

He said the running involved in refereeing touch had benefits for his fitness and wellbeing too.

"To referee and represent at this tournament is a way to give back to Maoridom, to have that cultural side of the event makes it the whole package. I was just a snotty-nosed kid at the first tournament, no badges or anything, but I went on to be the number one ranked referee here during the last few years.

"Maori nationals has maintained a strong level of refereeing. It varies, some years you have a bit of a drop in numbers but generally it's been steady. It's good to see young referees coming up through the ranks and achieve their goals too."