News

Check out the latest news from the referees

Hamish Davies Referees South Island u18 Final 

Otago Referee Hamish Davies was the top referee at the recently completed South Island u18 tournament in Kaiapoi. Davies was appointed the Grand Final which was won by Canterbury Metro.

Hamish said he took each game at a time but was absolutely stoked when his name was read out to control the Final. This capped off a fine tournament and season by Hamish.

At the South Island u16 tournament James Doleman controlled the 3rd and 4th playoff at Rugby Park in Greymouth.  

2011 was again another year that Otago referees performed well at both South Island age group tournaments and augers well for Otago rugby next season. 

Otago Referees Make up 50% of South Island Age Group Squads

The Otago referees group have continued their outstanding contribution to South Island refereeing recently with six Otago referees selected to referee at the South Island u18 and u16 tournaments this year.

Only six referees were selected for each tournament from across the South Island with Otago supplying three referees to each tournament.

This along with Ben O'Keeffe, Liam Scanlon and Brigitte Tyler being selected for the South Island Zone Squad and Womans NPC rugby respectively continues Otago rugbys stronghold as a nursery for up and coming referees         

South Island u18 Tournament Referees

Hamish Davies

Ryan Palmer

Mike Smaill

South Island u16 Tournament Referees

Joel Hibbs

James Doleman

Mitchell Will

 

Otago Referees Selected in 2011 South Island Zone Squad

The Otago referees are delighted to announce that two Otago referees Ben O'Keeffe and Liam Scanlon have been reselected in the South Island Zone Squad for 2011.

This is both Liam and Ben's second year in the squad and their reselections are well deserved.

The full squad is as follows.

2011 South Island Zone Squad:

Vaughan Wylie (Tasman)
Blair York (Canterbury)
James Munro (Canterbury)
Spencer Tait (Canterbury)
Ben O'Keefe (Otago)
Liam Scanlon (Otago)
Michael Lash (Southland)
Kirk Rae (Southland)*
[*= Reserve Referee]

Congratulations also goes to Brigitte Tyler who has been appointed to control two Women's NPC games for 2011.

Brigitte's NPC debut will come in the Canterbury vs Manawatu game and her second game is the clash between Otago and Auckland.

These selections continue Otago's strong representation in South Island Squads.

The Dunedin Rugby Referees Have a New Home for 2011

The Dunedin Rugby Referees are thrilled to announce that they have a new base for 2011 following the demise of their Logan Park base which has been used in the past years.

This season DRRA training and development sessions (Monday nights at 1830hrs) will be held at the Logan Park Bowling Club which is off Union Street in the Varsity precinct.

The first Rugby Smart and Registration night is being being held at Otago Polytechnic (Dougs Office) on the 28th of February but thereafter all meetings will be at the Bowling Club.  

The new base is in a great location and only a pitching wedge away from the spectacular new Stadium.

 

To Check Out All That Is New And Fresh In NZ Refereeing Circles Check Out the Link Below

http://referees.allblacks.com/index.cfm

 

Hamish Davies Selected in NZRU Referee Academy

Dunedin Referee Hamish Davies has been recently selected into the NZRU Referee Academy.

 

Hamish joins fellow Otago referee Liam Scanlon in the squad.

 

Past Otago referees involved in the Academy have been Tim Baker, Spencer Tait and most recently Ben O’Keeffe who finished his term this year.

 

Each member is in the Academy for two years and the programme is seen as an ideal stepping stone for higher honours in the future.

 

Davies stated “I am absolutely delighted to be selected and this is a great opportunity for me to really keep growing my refereeing”.  

 

Hamish’s selection comes on the back of a very accomplished season that culminated in strong displays at the recently completed South Island u18 rugby tournament.   

 

Barnett Named AMI Otago Referee Of The Year

Ross Barnett was named the AMI Otago Referee of the Year at the ORRA Awards Evening held on Friday night.  Barnett has had a superb season with the whistle, and was duly rewarded.  Please see the full list of award winners below.

AMI Otago Rugby Referee of the Year - Ross Barnett
Otago Senior Referee of the Year - Roger Hill
Otago Junior Referee of the Year - Ben O’Keeffe
Otago Referee Personality of the Year - Dave Burton

CLUB RUGBY AWARDS

Lester Te Au Memorial: 
Most Improved Premier Referee   
Tim Baker

Brian Fletcher Whistle: 
Most Promising Referee   
Gareth Read

Angus Halligan Trophy: 
Most Promising 1st or 2nd year   
Ben Maynard

Chairman’s Award   
Laura Kelly

MEDALS PRESENTED TO THE CLUB FINALS REFEREES

Dunedin Premier 1       
Ross Barnett
Dunedin Premier 2       
Gareth Read
Central Otago          
Simon Bell
South Otago                 
Neville Muir
Country       
Rodger Hill
Dunedin Senior Grade       
Bryce Adie
Dunedin Women’s       
Brigitte Tyler
Dunedin Colts Division 1       
Liam Scanlon
Dunedin Colts Division 2       
Brad Taylor

Life Membership       
Shane McKenzie, Neil McKnight

SERVICE AWARDS
25 years Running U15 Tournament   
Geoff Simons
AMI Referee Scholarship       
Hamish Davies, Adian Cameron

Otago Referees Dominate South Island Squads

Local Referees have had a breakout year with selections into South Island Squads for 2010.

 

Otago Referees make up a staggering 44% of South Island rep squads named this year.

 

Out of the three squads Zone, u18 and u16, eleven Otago referees were selected.

 

This is compared to Canterbury

who had 8 and Southland who had 4 appointed.

 

The following Referees were selected: 

 

South Island Zone Squad (8 in squad)

 

Ross Barnett

Tim Baker

Ben O’Keeffe

Liam Scanlon

 

South Island u18 tournament (8 in squad)

 

Hamish Davies

Gareth Reed

Ryan Palmer

 

South Island u16 tournament (9 in squad)

 

Mike Smaill

Joel Hibbs

Brigitte Tyler

Brad Taylor

 

To have eleven referees selected at this level of rugby is an outstanding result for both Otago referees and Otago rugby alike. 

Ross Barnett Referees North Otago vs Buller Heartland Championship Game

Otago referee Ross Barnett officiated in his second first class fixture on Saturday the 4th September when he controlled the North Otago vs Buller game in Oamaru.

Ross was called in as a late replacement when national squad referee Shaun Elliot was ruled out due to injury.

This was Ross’s second first class fixture after he controlled the North Otago vs King Country game in Oamaru last season.   

North Otago easily disposed of Buller by 44 points to 20 having led at halftime 18 to 6.

For any further information please contact
Todd Pullar
Referee Education Officer
DDI: 03 466 4261
M: 021 923 879
F: 03 466 4002
E: todd.pullar@orfu.co.nz