Rugby: New kit for new season, but more refs still needed

Kawana Tihema points to the spot in the Tasman Tanning Premier game at Spriggens Park on Saturday. Photo/Stuart Munro

Wanganui rugby referees are looking dapper in new uniforms, but they could do with a few more on parade, a referee association spokesman says.

Wanganui Rugby Referee Association members officially received their new running strip for last weekends matches, although a few got a test run during schoolboy rugby last Wednesday.

Clothing brand BLK Sport, and Wanganui Rugby Football Union (WRFU) gear consists of a branded jersey, shorts, socks, warm up T-shirt and dress polo, embroidered with the associations monogram.

However, association facilitator Neville Hopkins said the group continued to face growing challenges for equipment and - most importantly - numbers.

They are currently seeking a local sponsor to help assist with annual costs as well as new equipment, including match radios for communication, and track suits for wet-weather assignments.

As in recent seasons, there is again a membership shortage of active referees to assist the province to meet its goal of providing officials for all games, under-13 to Premier-grade level.

Hopkins said many of the associations members had given long and meritorious service, with some approaching their 50th year being active on a rugby field. This suggests that refereeing is a task for all ages and can be a rewarding past time.

It offers the best view of a game and the opportunity to interact with a large number of players, especially in clubrooms after the game.

The association has been putting out feelers to retiring players and others still involved in the game through coaching to consider taking up the whistle.

Men such as Noah Viliamu, Mark Wilson and Daniel Rolls have all recently made a start of refereeing at Premier-grade level.

The association continues to promote its youngest member, Ben Lourie, as showing tremendous potential, in his second season of adjudicating Premier games while continuing tertiary studies.

The WRFU ran an associate referee course for secondary school students and youth-grade coaches in Taihape last week and will have another in Wanganui this Thursday.

Referee education officer Matt Peters will be in charge and interest can be registered by calling the WRFU offices on 06 349 2313. Anyone else who wishes to discuss taking up refereeing can call Neville Hopkins on 021 104 2551, or Haig Elgar 021 911 243.