Keen to stay in the game

One too many blows to the head made Cameron Stone think he would have to give up rugby for good but a passing comment gave him a way to keep his feet on the field.

"Rugby was such a big part of my life I didn't want to have to give it up so when it was suggested I give refereeing a go I thought why not?" Five years later and Cameron has been named in the national rugby referee squad.

The Inglewood High School teacher says that much like most things in life he began at the bottom and worked his way up. "I attended a meeting about refereeing and within a week I was at my first game."

Cameron started out at school-level rugby, "my first game was an Under 15 Stratford High School game", and soon moved up to club rugby and senior games. It was at this level that his mentor put his name forward for the National Development Rugby Referee squad.

"I always had a goal to make the national squad, but once you're at the development level you either have it it or you don't."

Cameron it seems had it - and heading into the rugby season will be refereeing some ITM Cup matches. "While you get a bit of stick being a ref, it offered me so many opportunities, I've travelled around the country and met so many new people."

He highly recommends getting involved in refereeing.

"I was able to stay involved with the sport I love and have been given opportunities I wouldn't have seen as a player, such as being a touch judge at the Wellington Sevens."

Cameron says his ultimate goal is to one day referee a Super Rugby game. "I don't know if I would ever be a professional ref, but a Super game would be great."