A 6.30am alarm call is not greeted well - I do not do mornings, but a yet another meeting at the teams' hotel at 8am means an early start for the officials team.
The morning is taken up with a referees' meeting to clarify protocol, etc, before a 45-minute journey to the ground for a run-through and familiarisation exercise. Everything goes well and a quick game of touch rugby on the pitch gives everyone the chance to stretch their legs.
The facilities here are amazing. The stadium was purpose-built for the Dubai 7s, but they've added a lot of extra facilities for the World Cup. The work behind the scenes is simply mindblowing, and now the team is here everyone is just keen to get started.
The afternoon provides some welcome relief from rugby, with a 4x4 desert safari organised.
Now I'm not one for fairground rides (a carousel is as adventurous as I get) so my stomach takes a pasting as they throw the jeeps up and down, over and side by side - but it's well worth it and gives everyone the chance to free their minds from the tournament for a few hours.
The trip finishes at 9pm, so by the time we arrive back at the hotel, everyone is well and truly beat.
My head hits the pillow and the next thing I know it's 8am on Thursday - never underestimate the value of a good night's sleep!
Thursday, 5 March 2009
World Cup 7s - Day Three
This morning's meeting was rocked by the news of the attack on the Sri Lankian cricket team in Pakistan.
One of the local touch judges here works for the International Cricket Board and he took a call from Chris Broad literally minutes after the attack, when Chris and the rest of those who were in the minibus were held up in a stadium.
The guy was, understandably, very shaken after the call, but came back into the room to explain what had just happened and that he had to go.
To say the room fell silent would be an understatement. People didn't know what to say or do, but we were all soon reassured that, despite the enormousness of the event we were involved in, the security intelligence was second to none and we were not to worry about any possible terrorist threat to the World Cup.
Business resumed after a quiet morning and lunch with a trip to the ground (about 45 minutes from the city) were I refereed a warm-up game between Japan and Australia. It was good to get a workout and it beats pounding the pavements or the monotony of the gym.
It was the first time I'd seen the purpose-built stadium and it was very impressive. And it was also very hot, but it was very beneficial to get the lungs pumping and get acclimatised to the heat.
A quite evening was spent watching DVDs and drinking tea - a very British way to round of a bizarre day as Wednesday was to start with a 6.30am start!!
One of the local touch judges here works for the International Cricket Board and he took a call from Chris Broad literally minutes after the attack, when Chris and the rest of those who were in the minibus were held up in a stadium.
The guy was, understandably, very shaken after the call, but came back into the room to explain what had just happened and that he had to go.
To say the room fell silent would be an understatement. People didn't know what to say or do, but we were all soon reassured that, despite the enormousness of the event we were involved in, the security intelligence was second to none and we were not to worry about any possible terrorist threat to the World Cup.
Business resumed after a quiet morning and lunch with a trip to the ground (about 45 minutes from the city) were I refereed a warm-up game between Japan and Australia. It was good to get a workout and it beats pounding the pavements or the monotony of the gym.
It was the first time I'd seen the purpose-built stadium and it was very impressive. And it was also very hot, but it was very beneficial to get the lungs pumping and get acclimatised to the heat.
A quite evening was spent watching DVDs and drinking tea - a very British way to round of a bizarre day as Wednesday was to start with a 6.30am start!!
Monday, 2 March 2009
World Cups 7s - Day Two
OK, so who was the bright spark who scheduled daily 8am meetings?
Pretty much everyone in the meeting room looks like they've not slept for a week, although some (those with 7s experience from the World 7s Series) cannot blame jetlag - and it has to be said it's the full-time referees who appear to have led astray by Mr Stella Artois. I have no sympathy!
So while some go back to bed, the four women officials decided to do what we do best - go shopping. A brief whizz around the Mall of the Emirates (who wants to spend time in a mall anyway) and it's off to the markets.
The gold and spice souks are an eye-opener for any visitor, although after 10 minutes I am sick to death of young men asking me if I want to buy a "handbag, sunglasses or pashmina lady?"
According to these robotic street sellers, these goods are all "genuine Gucci and Prada" - sure, but there's more fun to be had bartering with the older shop keepers over some unrecognisable sweet-smelling powder that I'm sure customs will be interested in when I arrive back. (And for the record, it's ground cinnamon).
Anyway - shopping trip over and it's off to the Atlantis Hotel (on the Palm Jameriah) where the teams are based for the duration of the tournament for a managers' meeting.
The meeting is led by Paddy O'Brien and Keith Lawrence of the iRB and it follows the usual format of what is and what is not expected/tolerated on the pitch, with lots of protocol thrown in for good measure.
But the highlight for me was when the English team coach pointed out how much other teams time-waste while taking conversions, before Keith then introduced a slide detailing the worst offenders, and there are no prizes for guessing who topped the list!
A swift bus-trip back to the hotel is followed by dinner and then crashing out in front of the largest flatscreen TV I've seen. And it's night night from me...
Pretty much everyone in the meeting room looks like they've not slept for a week, although some (those with 7s experience from the World 7s Series) cannot blame jetlag - and it has to be said it's the full-time referees who appear to have led astray by Mr Stella Artois. I have no sympathy!
So while some go back to bed, the four women officials decided to do what we do best - go shopping. A brief whizz around the Mall of the Emirates (who wants to spend time in a mall anyway) and it's off to the markets.
The gold and spice souks are an eye-opener for any visitor, although after 10 minutes I am sick to death of young men asking me if I want to buy a "handbag, sunglasses or pashmina lady?"
According to these robotic street sellers, these goods are all "genuine Gucci and Prada" - sure, but there's more fun to be had bartering with the older shop keepers over some unrecognisable sweet-smelling powder that I'm sure customs will be interested in when I arrive back. (And for the record, it's ground cinnamon).
Anyway - shopping trip over and it's off to the Atlantis Hotel (on the Palm Jameriah) where the teams are based for the duration of the tournament for a managers' meeting.
The meeting is led by Paddy O'Brien and Keith Lawrence of the iRB and it follows the usual format of what is and what is not expected/tolerated on the pitch, with lots of protocol thrown in for good measure.
But the highlight for me was when the English team coach pointed out how much other teams time-waste while taking conversions, before Keith then introduced a slide detailing the worst offenders, and there are no prizes for guessing who topped the list!
A swift bus-trip back to the hotel is followed by dinner and then crashing out in front of the largest flatscreen TV I've seen. And it's night night from me...
World Cup 7s - Day One
Well I'm finally here - a seven-hour plane journey after an 6.30am alarm call on Sunday morning and it's touchdown in Dubai.
As it was night when we arrived, there were two other officials and the entire Irish 7s team on my flight (to be sure), there wasn't that much to see, but the first thing noted on the drive to the hotel from the airport was the amount of construction going on.
And the hotel, for all it's five-star glory (including apartments bigger than my house) is surrounded by building work, but the location more than makes up for it - overlooking Dubai Marina and the Palm Jameriah (Google it if you're unfamiliar).
Dubai is a new city and now's not the place for a history lesson, but everywhere you look, they're building something - and you get the feeling hat whatever it is, it will be bigger and better than the last thing they built.
On arrival at the hotel, the lobby is jammed with officials, etc, checking in, so there's a multitude of new and old faces to say hi to, before a quick shower and adjournment to the bar.
And it's a brief adjournment at that - welcome to Dubai and it's bar prices!
As it was night when we arrived, there were two other officials and the entire Irish 7s team on my flight (to be sure), there wasn't that much to see, but the first thing noted on the drive to the hotel from the airport was the amount of construction going on.
And the hotel, for all it's five-star glory (including apartments bigger than my house) is surrounded by building work, but the location more than makes up for it - overlooking Dubai Marina and the Palm Jameriah (Google it if you're unfamiliar).
Dubai is a new city and now's not the place for a history lesson, but everywhere you look, they're building something - and you get the feeling hat whatever it is, it will be bigger and better than the last thing they built.
On arrival at the hotel, the lobby is jammed with officials, etc, checking in, so there's a multitude of new and old faces to say hi to, before a quick shower and adjournment to the bar.
And it's a brief adjournment at that - welcome to Dubai and it's bar prices!
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Watch yourself...
It can be painful, but there are benefits of watching yourself refereeing on DVD.
Once the vanity has been washed aside, and yes - my backside still looks big on the telly, you find yourself bemoaning the apparent ability the television has to make you look a lot slower than you actually are.
One of the benefits of refereeing a National League Three match (number three in my career) is the DVD, and a good quality one at that. And if any aspiring referees out there get the chance to get a game videoed - do it.
The voiceover enlightens you to the amount of waffle that one gabbles (me - waffle?), and you soon begin to realise that much of what you say is not for the benefit of the players, but you - the referee.
The art of communication and reducing "white noise" is an ongoing one for me, as is the progress of my pace and acceleration. And the DVD means there's no hiding place!
But, in my defence your honour, a quicker game requires smarter running lines and better game anticipation - and so it is here I will be focusing my thoughts ahead of my game on Sunday.
As for the 7-a-side game - my trip to the Rugby World Cup 7s in Dubai is less than two weeks away, and so there really is no excuse to miss sprint training.... oh what joy.
Dubai corner: Two weeks
Weight loss: Overall 4lbs - not quite the dizzy heights I was aiming for.
Alcohol intake: Three bottles of lager and three glasses of wine - not good after a two-week abstention.
Exercise: One game, two gym - not bad, but...
Once the vanity has been washed aside, and yes - my backside still looks big on the telly, you find yourself bemoaning the apparent ability the television has to make you look a lot slower than you actually are.
One of the benefits of refereeing a National League Three match (number three in my career) is the DVD, and a good quality one at that. And if any aspiring referees out there get the chance to get a game videoed - do it.
The voiceover enlightens you to the amount of waffle that one gabbles (me - waffle?), and you soon begin to realise that much of what you say is not for the benefit of the players, but you - the referee.
The art of communication and reducing "white noise" is an ongoing one for me, as is the progress of my pace and acceleration. And the DVD means there's no hiding place!
But, in my defence your honour, a quicker game requires smarter running lines and better game anticipation - and so it is here I will be focusing my thoughts ahead of my game on Sunday.
As for the 7-a-side game - my trip to the Rugby World Cup 7s in Dubai is less than two weeks away, and so there really is no excuse to miss sprint training.... oh what joy.
Dubai corner: Two weeks
Weight loss: Overall 4lbs - not quite the dizzy heights I was aiming for.
Alcohol intake: Three bottles of lager and three glasses of wine - not good after a two-week abstention.
Exercise: One game, two gym - not bad, but...
Monday, 9 February 2009
Oops I did it again...
New Zealand referee Steve "look at me" Walsh has, allegedly, been ruled out of the first round of the Super 14 as punishment for turning up drunk at a SANZAR conference last year.
And the good news is that English referee Wayne Barnes, who seemed to have fallen out with the iRB, has been promoted from his number one assistant refereeing duties to referee.
The Kiwi bad boy of officiating just can't seem to keep out of trouble and, if reports are true that he does have a drink problem, I hope Walsh gets himself sorted out. There's no doubt that he is a good referee, but he hits the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Here's hoping he learns a lesson.
Dubai corner (three weeks)
Weight loss: Overall, 4lb - the right direction but not enough
Alcohol intake: NONE, ZIP, ZLICH - not a drop has passed my lips for 10 days!
Exercise: Two gym, one jog and no games whatsoever. Grrrreat...
And the good news is that English referee Wayne Barnes, who seemed to have fallen out with the iRB, has been promoted from his number one assistant refereeing duties to referee.
The Kiwi bad boy of officiating just can't seem to keep out of trouble and, if reports are true that he does have a drink problem, I hope Walsh gets himself sorted out. There's no doubt that he is a good referee, but he hits the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Here's hoping he learns a lesson.
Dubai corner (three weeks)
Weight loss: Overall, 4lb - the right direction but not enough
Alcohol intake: NONE, ZIP, ZLICH - not a drop has passed my lips for 10 days!
Exercise: Two gym, one jog and no games whatsoever. Grrrreat...
Monday, 2 February 2009
Can I offer some advice...
Not that it happens often after a match, and it hasn't for a while, but it's amazing how many "ex-referees" there are willing to impart some pearl of wisdom in the bar following a match.
Before and during the game there are hoards of people only too willing to offer me plenty of advice on the refereeing front, from the man who confirms the fixture midweek, the bloke on the gate at the hosts club and, of course, the odd spectator or two - it's all part of the game and for the most part it's fine and taken in good humour.
And then there's the ex-referees. A bit like ex-smokers, they always seem to offer the "best advice".
A few weeks ago a rather portly gentlemen from the host club decided that, after the game and while I was waiting for a drink, he'd point out the error of my ways and give me a few tips to improve my refereeing.
Suspicions are always aroused when someone in a club blazer introduces themselves as an ex-referee and a member of Such-and-such Referees Society (rather than from the host club), and all this following a pre-match meal where you just know that much wine and ale has been sunk.
"You know what my love, and I know you won't mind me telling you, but you need eyes in the back of your head.." (as if a referee didn't know that already)... said Mr Ex-Referee. "You need to move around a bit more - you need to catch the cheatin' blighters.."
... and so continued a rather one-way conversation about what I missed and the fact I needed to "move a bit more".
He was right - I do need eyes in the back of my head (they've been on my wish list for years) and I probably do need to move a bit more, but being belched this advice through beer-tinged breath after a game is something I could have done without.
That's what assessors are for!
Dubai countdown: (four weeks)
Weight loss: Not good (up 1lb)
Alcohol: Not great either... (let's move on)
Exercise: Two gym, one refereeing appointment and a schools' 7s tournament
Before and during the game there are hoards of people only too willing to offer me plenty of advice on the refereeing front, from the man who confirms the fixture midweek, the bloke on the gate at the hosts club and, of course, the odd spectator or two - it's all part of the game and for the most part it's fine and taken in good humour.
And then there's the ex-referees. A bit like ex-smokers, they always seem to offer the "best advice".
A few weeks ago a rather portly gentlemen from the host club decided that, after the game and while I was waiting for a drink, he'd point out the error of my ways and give me a few tips to improve my refereeing.
Suspicions are always aroused when someone in a club blazer introduces themselves as an ex-referee and a member of Such-and-such Referees Society (rather than from the host club), and all this following a pre-match meal where you just know that much wine and ale has been sunk.
"You know what my love, and I know you won't mind me telling you, but you need eyes in the back of your head.." (as if a referee didn't know that already)... said Mr Ex-Referee. "You need to move around a bit more - you need to catch the cheatin' blighters.."
... and so continued a rather one-way conversation about what I missed and the fact I needed to "move a bit more".
He was right - I do need eyes in the back of my head (they've been on my wish list for years) and I probably do need to move a bit more, but being belched this advice through beer-tinged breath after a game is something I could have done without.
That's what assessors are for!
Dubai countdown: (four weeks)
Weight loss: Not good (up 1lb)
Alcohol: Not great either... (let's move on)
Exercise: Two gym, one refereeing appointment and a schools' 7s tournament
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