Just when you thought it was safe to pick up the whistle and get in a run of games following the drought over the last two months, "match postponed" strikes again.
Given that the match I was appointed to this weekend was in Yorkshire (and I live in Somerset), I set off on Friday evening and after three hours drive up the M5 and M42 (through numerous 50mph restrictions and the occasional bottle neck), settled in for the night in a Premier Inn somewhere off the M1.
On the way up, the home club had rung to inform me that a hard frost was forecast overnight and that a pitch inspection was to take place at 9am. If I heard nothing, I was "green for go" and given that it was 10pm and I was, well knackered, I went out like a light.
In the morning, 9am came and went, as did my breakfast, and - with the time fast approaching 11am - it was back in the car for the remaining two hours north.
And then it happened; just before noon the phone rang and the caller bore bad news. The 9am pitch inspection was inconclusive and, with the forecast for sun and a temperature increase, the club held out for another inspection at 11.30am.
You can guess the rest. "Sorry, we're going to have to call the game off".
Not that you can blame the club. They desperately wanted to host the game as they'd lost three already over the the last two months. Lost home games mean lost revenue, something no club can afford in the present climate.
It's gutting to have a game postponed so close to kick-off; referees look forward to matches just as much as players, but for me it meant a three/four hour drive back south.
Since December 12th, I have refereed two league fixtures from seven weekends. I drove to Devon to postpone a match on arrival after the pitch was unfit and had another two fixtures fall foul of the weather.
But, as they say, there's nowt you can do about it - the weather's the weather and to be frank, I'm fed up with this continued cold snap and want things back to normal please.
Bring back the typical wet and windy British weather - bring back some rugby.
Sunday 31 January 2010
Thursday 21 January 2010
Six Nations referees
This year is undoubtedly a huge one for the women’s game as international teams from across the globe continue their preparations for the World Cup in August.
With the USA and Canada having already done battle in Florida, and the Women’s 6 Nations drawing closer for our top European sides, a much-needed platform has also been provided for female referees as we too look towards the IRB showpiece event in London.
Following the Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2006, the IRB and many host unions helped the progression and development of women referees by opening up more of their Test matches for the appointment of women officials.
If you’re good enough and have proved yourself then why not, and – as with players – it helps the development of the women’s game as a whole as promoting officiating will hopefully encourage more female players to have a go themselves. At present (and I do not have access to any official figures) the percentage of women officials compared to women players is unacceptable and we all have a part to play in turning that around.
But this spring, the Women’s 6 Nations competition will see an unprecedented number of female whistle blowers take charge – five in total – as Sarah Corrigan (Australia), Andrea Ttofa (England), Dana Teagarden (USA), Mhairi Hay (Scotland) and myself have been given the opportunity to oversee games.
Being appointed to a Test match is a huge privilege and one that is greeted with much joy every time you are fortunate to get the call from your Union, so there will plenty of reasons for Andrea and Mhairi to celebrate (OK, so maybe after the game) as their appointments in the 6 Nations mark their full Test debuts.
Australia’s Sarah Corrigan, who refereed the World Cup semi-final between England and Canada in 2006, is currently enjoying the colder climate of the Northern Hemisphere as after a brief trip to Florida for the second USA v Canada Test, the Sydney-based official will be subjected to the colder weather in the UK for two Six Nations tests before she heads back Down Under.
This will be Sarah’s first Six Nations tournament, but it is not the first time a female Southern Hemisphere referee has overseen a game as in 2007, New Zealander Nicky Inwood took charge of the first all-female team of three at Twickenham when England hosted Italy at TW1.
The USA’s Dana Teagarden (presently residing in Germany) has also been appointed to her first Six Nations game, while I am looking forward to the France v Ireland encounter on February 12 that I will oversee. These games are invaluable for those of us fortunate to have been selected for this year’s World Cup as exposure to Test level games is an invaluable tool in the countdown to kick-off on August 20, while for Andrea and Mhairi it will hopefully provide a huge boost as they look to embark on their international careers.
Here’s hoping that 2010 sets records for the women’s game in all aspects, including officiating at the highest level.
Women’s 6 Nations appointments: (Weeks 1-3)
Week One:
Ireland V Italy, Sarah Corrigan (ARU)
England V Wales, David Keane (IRFU)
Scotland V France, Stefano Mancini (FIR)
Week Two:
Wales V Scotland, Sarah Corrigan (ARU)
France V Ireland,
Clare Daniels (RFU)
Italy V England, Mhairi Hay (Scotland)
Week Three:
Wales V France, Dana Teagarden (USA)
Italy V Scotland, Chris Williams (WRU)
England V Ireland, Steffano Marrama (FIR)
With the USA and Canada having already done battle in Florida, and the Women’s 6 Nations drawing closer for our top European sides, a much-needed platform has also been provided for female referees as we too look towards the IRB showpiece event in London.
Following the Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2006, the IRB and many host unions helped the progression and development of women referees by opening up more of their Test matches for the appointment of women officials.
If you’re good enough and have proved yourself then why not, and – as with players – it helps the development of the women’s game as a whole as promoting officiating will hopefully encourage more female players to have a go themselves. At present (and I do not have access to any official figures) the percentage of women officials compared to women players is unacceptable and we all have a part to play in turning that around.
But this spring, the Women’s 6 Nations competition will see an unprecedented number of female whistle blowers take charge – five in total – as Sarah Corrigan (Australia), Andrea Ttofa (England), Dana Teagarden (USA), Mhairi Hay (Scotland) and myself have been given the opportunity to oversee games.
Being appointed to a Test match is a huge privilege and one that is greeted with much joy every time you are fortunate to get the call from your Union, so there will plenty of reasons for Andrea and Mhairi to celebrate (OK, so maybe after the game) as their appointments in the 6 Nations mark their full Test debuts.
Australia’s Sarah Corrigan, who refereed the World Cup semi-final between England and Canada in 2006, is currently enjoying the colder climate of the Northern Hemisphere as after a brief trip to Florida for the second USA v Canada Test, the Sydney-based official will be subjected to the colder weather in the UK for two Six Nations tests before she heads back Down Under.
This will be Sarah’s first Six Nations tournament, but it is not the first time a female Southern Hemisphere referee has overseen a game as in 2007, New Zealander Nicky Inwood took charge of the first all-female team of three at Twickenham when England hosted Italy at TW1.
The USA’s Dana Teagarden (presently residing in Germany) has also been appointed to her first Six Nations game, while I am looking forward to the France v Ireland encounter on February 12 that I will oversee. These games are invaluable for those of us fortunate to have been selected for this year’s World Cup as exposure to Test level games is an invaluable tool in the countdown to kick-off on August 20, while for Andrea and Mhairi it will hopefully provide a huge boost as they look to embark on their international careers.
Here’s hoping that 2010 sets records for the women’s game in all aspects, including officiating at the highest level.
Women’s 6 Nations appointments: (Weeks 1-3)
Week One:
Ireland V Italy, Sarah Corrigan (ARU)
England V Wales, David Keane (IRFU)
Scotland V France, Stefano Mancini (FIR)
Week Two:
Wales V Scotland, Sarah Corrigan (ARU)
France V Ireland,
Clare Daniels (RFU)
Italy V England, Mhairi Hay (Scotland)
Week Three:
Wales V France, Dana Teagarden (USA)
Italy V Scotland, Chris Williams (WRU)
England V Ireland, Steffano Marrama (FIR)
Thursday 7 January 2010
Frosty reception for the treadmill
Right now I'm spoilt for choice about what to write about. There's the new year and all it promises, Saracen's director of rugby Brenan Venter and his "English referees are pants" outburst, the RFU's reaction to Mr Venter's strop, the right and wrongs of Mr Venter's strop or, of course, the weather.
Given that Venter's tirade has been done to death in various media, the weather wins because - as it stands - I last refereed a game of rugby on December 12th.
On the 19th, I hauled by backside south on a 75-mile trip to Devon, only to get there and find the pitch unplayable due to frost, and so I hauled it back to Somerset again.
Then came Christmas and following that a trip to Leeds to watch the Guinness Premiership basement battle against Bath (which the blue, black and whites thankfully won) in sub-zero conditions.
And then there's this weekend - not a chance of any sporting action anywhere, let alone donning my boots and whistle to referee any rugby.
Players' frustrations and not being able to play is equally matched by officials', who look forward to Saturday afternoons as much as anyone else. At this rate, even the weekend of the 16th looks doubtful - just how long will this sporting drought last?
The downside to this predicament is training as there's no chance of a twice-weekly run on the streets and pavements near me (unless of course you want to break your ankle/leg/wrist, etc) and so it means the gym.
The tedium of the treadmill is too much I'm afraid. OK, the weights and resistance stuff in the gym is fine by me - bring it on - but the treadmill? Ooh no, sorry.
I am hoping (maybe too optimistically) that the sports pitches near me at least give enough on top to allow a run around or two, that I can happily cope with.
I am therefore hoping that while the snow is fun for a bit, the damn stuff soon disappears before I really am forced to endure a mind-numbing spurt on the treadmill.
Happy training!
Given that Venter's tirade has been done to death in various media, the weather wins because - as it stands - I last refereed a game of rugby on December 12th.
On the 19th, I hauled by backside south on a 75-mile trip to Devon, only to get there and find the pitch unplayable due to frost, and so I hauled it back to Somerset again.
Then came Christmas and following that a trip to Leeds to watch the Guinness Premiership basement battle against Bath (which the blue, black and whites thankfully won) in sub-zero conditions.
And then there's this weekend - not a chance of any sporting action anywhere, let alone donning my boots and whistle to referee any rugby.
Players' frustrations and not being able to play is equally matched by officials', who look forward to Saturday afternoons as much as anyone else. At this rate, even the weekend of the 16th looks doubtful - just how long will this sporting drought last?
The downside to this predicament is training as there's no chance of a twice-weekly run on the streets and pavements near me (unless of course you want to break your ankle/leg/wrist, etc) and so it means the gym.
The tedium of the treadmill is too much I'm afraid. OK, the weights and resistance stuff in the gym is fine by me - bring it on - but the treadmill? Ooh no, sorry.
I am hoping (maybe too optimistically) that the sports pitches near me at least give enough on top to allow a run around or two, that I can happily cope with.
I am therefore hoping that while the snow is fun for a bit, the damn stuff soon disappears before I really am forced to endure a mind-numbing spurt on the treadmill.
Happy training!
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