RUGBY REFEREES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 154, 27 March 1937, Page 11

RUGBY REFEREES

Annual Conference Opens

BETTER STANDARD WANTED More than fifty Rugby referees from all parts of the Dominion are assembled in Wellington for the annual conference and business meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association. The conference opened yesterday .afternoon in the Legion of Frontiersmen Hall, Victoria Street, with Mr. G. E. Bradley (Wellington) chairman of the New Zealand executive, presiding. With him were Mr. J. Dixon (Marlborough), president of the association; Mr. T. A. Fletcher, a member of" the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union; and Mr. J. N. Millard, chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union. While he wished to extend a warm and sincere welcome to the delegates, said the chairman in his opening address, he regretted exceedingly the reason for his occupying the chair. Last year their chairman, Mr. Donald McKenzie, or “Dan” as he was familiarly known to almost every football or cricket enthusiast, became seriously ill. He made a wonderful recovery, but recently received another setback, and it was with deep regret that the executive heard that he would not be able to attend the conference. Mr. _ McKenzie had been most enthusiastic over the prospects of a record attendance. He also conceived the idea of having short papers delivered by delegates on the more important phases of the game. Inadequate Knowledge of Rules. From papers submitted by candidates for examination, it was clear that certain laws were not sufficiently known by persons aspiring to become senior referees, said Mr. Bradley. A majority of candidates studied the laws, some going so far as to become word perfect, but were lost when asked to attempt a. question of a practical nature. A careful study of the rulings and notes in the “Referees’ Handbook” might mean a personal sacrifice, but anyone who aspired to reach the top class must be prepared to gain a good knowledge of the laws. Apart from that, it was most unfair to the players if the referee did not have that knowledge. Another fault was the incorrect use of terms. After giving a number of illustrations, the speaker said he would leave it to his hearers to decide the importance of this point. Concluding, the chairman appealed to the delegates for their support, so that their deliberations might result in a better understanding of the laws of the game, to the advantage of both referees

and players, and the improvement of the standard of Rugby football in New Zealand. Room for Improvement. Welcoming the delegates on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. Fletcher said the management committee recognised that the game depended on the influence of the referees. Therefore the deliberations of the conference, and especially its discussion on the question of uniform rulings, would be of the utmost value. There was a great deal of room for improvement in the standard of refereeing in New Zealand. Every referee shomd have a thorough knowledge of the rules of Rugby, and what was more important, be prepared to observe the spirit of the rules. A welcome on behalf of the Wellington Rugby Union was extended by Mr. J. N. Millard. He agreed with Mr. Fletcher, he said, on the importance of referees. No one, not even a selector, suffered the abuse they did. That was due to the ignorance of the public as to the rules. However, even more important, than the letter of the law was the spirit of the game. Its observation depended on common sense and tact. A referee who wbnt on to the field with the sole idea of getting the better of the players would never succeed. Most referees in New Zealand, lie was glad to say, were out to help the players. The speaker paid a tribute to the Wellington Referees' Association, which, he said, conducted its affairs in a most business-like way. Mr. J. S. King, president of the Wellington Referees’ Association, also welcorned the delegates. The president of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association. Mr. J. Dixon (Marlborough), returned thanks for the welcomes. The number present, he said, wag an indication of the interest taken in the work of the association. It was gratifying also to see men such as Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Millard present at the opening of the conference. Papers on the laws of the game and their interpretation were delivered during the rest of the afternoon, and also last night. The annual meeting of the association will take place this morning, when the executive’s report will be discussed and officers elected for the coming year. Visiting delegates will be entertained by the Wellington association at a smoke concert to-night, and tomorrow they will be taken on a bus trip into th“ country.