Ulster Schools' Cup FInal

Most memorable refereeing experience?

I have been fortunate enough to be an Assistant Referee for a Rugby Europe international between Czech Republic and Poland in Zlin and a European Rugby Continental Shield Play-Off game in Heidelberg, Germany. These were both memorable games – in Zlin I enjoyed experiencing different rugby cultures whereas the winner of the Continental Shield game qualified for the next years EPCR Challenge Cup, the magnitude of the game was evident in the celebrations at the final whistle. Looking back on your early days refereeing – what advice would you give yourself? You’ll learn the most from your toughest games. Like players, referees can have good and bad days but its important to be prepared to evaluate honestly and learn. I’ve learned the most valuable lessons from the games I didn’t think went very well, but those experiences are like a tool kit you can refer to when its needed. Work hard and you will get rewarded! Now you have checked off the Schools’ Cup Final, what are your new refereeing ambitions? I’d love to continue to get regular games in Division 1A of the All Ireland League from a domestic point of view. Any involvement within the professional game is a huge ambition of mine but I am travelling to Paris at the end of month to referee France U18’s v Italy U18’s so to be afforded many more opportunities to travel and do something I enjoy would be great.

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