REFEREE PROFILES

Steven Piacun

John Jacka

Years refereeing:
Started in 2000 - 11 seasons
Most memorable game refereed:
7A Final, AGS V SHC at Sacred Heart. The game was intense right from the start. Each school had their 1st 15's on the sideline and cheered the teams as they entered the field. The crowd built up with the noise and pushed onto the field creating a cauldron around us. The players showed some great rugby skills and were prepared to do anything for their team. The game was low scoring and ended with a tight win to the home team which created more of an uproar. Everyone had given 100% and each team was swamped by their supporters. It was a privilege to be part of the occasion.
What superstitions or rituals do you have:
I always arrive early so I can check the field. I like to check the flags and the state of the field. I check for anything which could injure the players. I have a 15 minute warm up based around the training sessions which I follow and finish with sprints to get the old knees moving.
Why do you referee:
I had many years of rugby and wanted to give something back to the sport. I waited till my own children had finished with netball, soccer and squash before returning to play and referee. I still get enjoyment from turning out each weekend and as long as I can help players enjoy the sport, I will be there.
What do you do outside refereeing:
I am a grandfather now and follow the grandchildren in their junior soccer. My wife Barbara and I enjoy ballroom dancing and dining out.
Funniest moment:
I was referee for an U15 game at St Paul’s College where a player fielded a kick from the attacking team deep in his 22. He kicked it back infield to about the 10m line in his half. One of his own players called for the catch and actually caught the ball. He then turned and ran towards the try line. Players from both teams stopped and started laughing. I stopped and joined in. He kept running until I blew the whistle. The parents from both sides on the sideline were laughing and cheering for him. We all enjoyed the moment and his coach was still shaking his head after the game.

Simon McCarthny

Years refereeing:
In my third year
Most memorable game refereed:
I'd say it was the first game I refereed. It was a 7th grade schoolboy game at Sacred Heart and the reason why it was so memorable was that I got great feedback. Firstly the players seemed to be genuinely happy with my performance, which was great. Secondly, I had a great response from some of the spectators (including the losing team) which made me draw a sigh of relief. It was that feedback that made me think that I had made the right decisions and made a positive contribution to the game.
What was it like sitting on the sideline at Eden Park last year at an ITM Cup game:
It was great and I would jump at the chance of doing it again. I had been AR for the curtain raiser, Auckland v Wellington U21. The thing I noticed about that game was the speed of play and the physicality of the contact, far greater than anything that I had witnessed. This only intensified when I sat on the sideline for the ITM Cup and being only a few metres away from the play - the speed and physicality is not something that is fully recognised when sitting in the stand. Funny thing was that I was so engrossed in the game, I forgot to carry out my water-boy duty for the referee - poor bugger was gasping by the time I got to him!!!
Why do you referee:
I do it for a couple of reasons. Firstly I love the game, having played it for about 30 years, so being a referee enables me to stay in contact with the game. The other reason is, as a parent of a rugby-playing son, I used to get a bit annoyed watching the coach refereeing games where there was no appointed referee. I believe that coaches are there to coach - not referee.
What do you do outside refereeing:
I'm married with three children - two daughters 21 & 19 and my son 17. Up until now my time has been largely dictated by my kids - sports, social things, school commitments and so on. Now that they're older, my wife and I are finding we have a bit more time for ourselves. Little things like being able to go to the gym, go for a walk in the evening and go to the movies when we want. After many years of nagging, I finally succumbed to pressure from my wife and we took up dancing lessons a couple of years ago. To be honest, I wish I had done it years ago - great fun with friends and not bad fitness either!!
Funniest moment:
In a senior game between Ponies and Manukau it was going well with nothing out of the norm - I had had the usual pre match talk with the captains of both teams. I had a few discussions with the captains throughout the game about a few minor indiscretions. Then about halfway through the second half there was a bit of niggle from one team so I had a slightly sterner discussion with the captain. I took him aside and started discussing with him the issue. During my chat one of his team mates came up to me and tried to interrupt, so I politely told him to go away since he wasn't the captain. The other player was most insistent and continued to interrupt - in the end he shouted out to me "the captain doesn't speak English"!

Mark Hutchinson

Years refereeing:
4 years
Most memorable game refereed:
My first 1A game at MAG's v Aorere. It was a beautiful day; a generous crowd; a good mate Dave Eastwood running touch; and two teams who played in tremendous spirit. The whole experience, including the after-match, was awesome.
My most satisfying game was a catalyst for joining ARRA:
As just a 'dad' I stepped into the breech for a Pakuranga United v Carlton under 13R contest. Renowned as an annual grudge match, in which the parents are famous for their exhortations and "friendly" advice to the referee. The boys played each other to a stand still. Despite constantly hammering each other's try line, there was no score. It was hair on the back of the neck stuff to watch. At full time the kids and parents were drained and elated. I wandered off to grab my gear, and was approached by an opposition parent who had trailed me across the field, not to heckle me as first suspected, but to simply say 'thank you for a great game'.
Why do you referee:
See above. For the camaraderie with other refs; the mental and physical challenge required to perform to your best ability; the competitive buzz of being in the middle of a gladiatorial contest (hopefully without being subjected to the hits - always embarrassing to get in the way); and the personal satisfaction from a job well done (even though cock-ups are guaranteed and it is always back to the drawing board for the next game!).
What do you do outside refereeing:
With a sporty family (2 kids/1 wife) I watch a lot of netball, rugby, basketball and touch. I swim (slowly) and have completed some Ocean Swim events; play Golf (averagely), and enjoy Kayaking/fishing.
Funniest moment:
Awarding a try as a Touch Judge/AR (complete with pointing to the spot and raised flag) during a Premier game didn't seem particularly funny at the time. It sure got a massive laugh when the REO sneakily broadcast a video of my efforts for everyone in attendance at our Refs training night! (Thanks Greg!) The really sad thing was that it was my second such offence, which I guess means I should have got a red. (Note to self, keep flag in non-try-signaling hand!)

Thomas Tapara

Years refereeing:
7 years
Most memorable game refereed:
Avondale 1st XV v Under 18 Japanese touring side. The highlight for me was the Japanese side and their speed around the park! The team was extremely well disciplined had a great knowledge of the law (despite only one player being able to speak English). The team, though far smaller, had no fear of what was in front of them and ended up winning the game. On a side note what also made the day so memorable was the fact that the next match was a Japanese Under 15 team playing Avondale and they didn't seem to have a referee. So when asked to referee again I said, "No problem". However with 15min to go in that match a fellow colleague (name suppressed) came up to me at a break and said, "Hey Tommy, your games taking a long time." After a quick discussion I was bribed with a lemonade not to mention his mistake to anyone. I will say, he was a suburbs supporter though!
What was it like sitting on the sideline at an ITM cup game last year:
It was a game that Auckland won which was a highlight on a cold and rainy day. My job was more or less the umbrella technician keeping Kyle Harris (Hydro technician) and Greg Watson (Sideline manager) dry for the match. But on a serious note the match was extremely enjoyable and all involved had a good time.
Why do you referee:
1. Getting out in the middle and controlling a good contest.
2. The friendships forged through refereeing and when we to catch up.
3. The lemonades after the game with the players and fellow ref's.
4. An excuse to get out of the house and not mowing the lawns!
What do you do outside of refereeing:
Keep the Masport foundries running with a team of 8 maintenance engineers. Masport celebrated 100 years last year despite the effect of China but the good old Kiwi attitude has kept the company going. I also enjoy refereeing touch football which I've done for 15 years at local, provincial and national level.
Funniest moment:
I was refereeing at Shore Road No. 1 between the Marist and Ponsonby premier women's. During the game at a line-out situated in front of two fellow referees (David Ferguson & Robert Harman) I was heard to say, "Come on ladies open the gap!" Since that moment fellow referees have not let up. David Goldfinch the President at the time decided to award me a certificate at the end of that year with the words "Come on ladies open the gap!" on the front.

Ali McLeod

Years refereeing:
This is my 2nd season of refereeing XV's, but I've refereed touch since 2005
Most memorable game refereed:
There are 2. My first ever game, an U12 game between College Rifles and Pakuranga - bearing in mind I'd never played the game, and had a limited knowledge of the laws of the game, I was striving to keep low-key and survive the 60 minutes without getting lynched. Unfortunately my blue shirt was exactly the same as the College Rifles strip, and the only other top I had was a fluorescent pink wind-breaker… I couldn't have drawn more attention to myself if I tried! Thankfully people were kind, and I survived to ref another day. More recently I was appointed a Women's Premier Game between Ponsonby and College Rifles. Thankfully this was memorable for the right reasons, and it's been great to reflect on just how far I've come in the space of a year.
Why do you referee:
I first started reffing touch after being selected to play for the Scottish National Touch Squad in 2005 - there was a pre-requisite that each player had to achieve their Euro Level 1, and develop a sound understanding of the game. This stood me in great stead when I reffed 'The Refs' a couple of years ago, where I was won over by the 'charms' of certain members of the team (you know who you are!!) After recovering from the outrageous abuse, and being placated with alcohol, the suggestion that I turn my hand to XV's seemed like a great idea!!
The main reasons I referee are:
1) I came over from Scotland in 2007, and have no family here in NZ. The referee community offers a certain sense of 'family' that some may take for granted. I've forged some fantastic friendships, and enjoy the social opportunities
2) I'm a person who's driven by goals. My reffing journey is certainly providing me with plenty of those
3) It's a fabulous release from a stressful job
4) It's a great way to challenge myself both mentally and physically
What do you do outside refereeing:
I work as an Occupational Therapist. My current role sees me working in the Acute part of a Community Mental Health Team - providing a service that offers an alternative to hospitalisation. It can be pretty full on, and can have long and unpredictable hours. To relax I try to lose myself along the West Coast, just watching the tide come in, or playing guitar (albeit badly!). I spend too much time on Facebook, keeping in touch with family and friends in the UK and across the world, and I try to find time to socialise but quite honestly find there are just not enough hours in the week!! Oh, and I'm also doing a Short Course in Small Business Management with a view to setting up in Private Practice in the not so distant future.
Funniest moment:
I don't think I've been reffing long enough to recall any funny moments… I asked my coach Rob Ah Kuoi if there was anything obvious that sprung to mind, but he agreed that most of the funniest moments come from laughing at me, rather than from anything the players have done!! Most recently, whilst ARing the Moasca Cup 1st XV game between Kelston Boys and Sacred Heart College, I was caught ball watching rather than watching the players, who bowled me over on the touch line. I proceeded to land on my @$$ in a very unladylike manner (whilst raising the flag - of course!). Much cheering from the crowds, apologies from several players, and many offers of assistance in getting me upright caused just a little bit of flushing in my cheeks - the ones on my face, thank you!!

Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri

Years refereeing:
11 years
Most memorable game refereed:
Heartland Championship 2011: Meads Cup Final; North Otago v Wanganui in Oamaru
Why do you referee:
I would love to say it was injury forced or after a stellar career I decided to put something back into the game, however the simple fact is that my ability as a player was light-years away from my ambition thus I came to the realization at a young age that the All Black goal wasn't really realistic for me so refereeing was a "natural" choice plus I love being involved at levels of the game where as a player I only could have dreamed of participating in.
What do you do outside refereeing:
I am part of the Mainfreight Team, a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Provider and one of New Zealand's Top Performing Listed Companies.
Funniest moment:
Happened this season in fact, refereeing East Tamaki v Marist in the mud as always I arrived first to adjudicate on a break-down only to be greeted with a large chunk of mud flying my way. Unfortunately quick reflexes isn't one of my strong points therefore this chunk hit me square in the face with both my eyes taking the full force of the impact (not the most comfortable feeling particularly when wearing contact lenses).
Anyhow embarrassingly I had to bring a halt to proceedings whilst play was still occurring as I was blinded and couldn't see a thing. One of the physio's came to my aid and offered me a towel to clear the debris from my eyes. Unbeknown to me the towel was drenched in Deep Heat hence I was literally adding salt to my wound!
Finally after a couple of minutes I cleaned myself up and was about to restart play when I hear a remark echoed from the sidelines, not sure who they were supporting but there body angle tilted towards their left foot saying "you'll be right Sheldon - mud in your eye doesn't bother those who are already blind!!!"

Dale Ramshaw

Years refereeing:
This is my 7th year
Most memorable game refereed:
Last year the U85kg plate final between Grammar Carlton Old Boys and Varsity Squids. 3 all draw at full time with 20 min overtime played. Was an intense game right down to final whistle and was also the muddiest game I've ever refereed. Couldn't even tell who was on which team.
Why do you referee:
Always been passionate about the game of rugby! Having been a hockey player most of my life, prefer to stay on my feet so refereeing was a better option than playing. The buzz of walking away from a game knowing I've given both teams a fair chance at a good contest, best seat in the house! Still pretty competitive so really enjoy the great team training sessions, with the refs, on a Wednesday night!
What do you do outside refereeing:
Work in Emergency Management so the skills are pretty transferrable. For a bit of fun, being behind the camera doing a bit of sport photography, skiing, scuba diving, touch rugby, motor sport and golf (pretty average, would be better if I got out on the course more often). Anything to get me outdoors or spending quality time with friends.
Funniest moment:
Had a few funny moments especially listening to the banter of the front rows during scrums... or the reaction from Coaches when they realise Dale is a girl. But funny moment was running alongside player heading for a try with one defender to beat and for some random reason he decided to pass it to me (wasn't even in same colour)! Worse thing was, after catching the ball; it took me quite a few metres to remember I was refereeing not playing touch. Had quite a few invites to play for the team after that one.