Jack calls time on booing
Schoolboy backs calls for greater sideline respect for referees. By Katarina Williams.
David Walsh has copped his fair share of criticism during his 30-year rugby reffing career, but now he wants to blow the whistle on those who boo officials.
The call has come in the same week as Wellington schoolboy, Jack Riley, penned a letter criticising the treatment of referees.
Walsh, Wellington Rugby Referees’ Association referee education officer, has spoken about the challenges facing the country’s match officials who are often on the receiving end of sideline abuse.
A week ago, Walsh was confronted by poor sideline behaviour from screaming supporters watching a match at an under-11 tournament. He was forced to take immediate action.
‘‘I stopped the game stone dead and turned to the crowd and said that their behaviour needs to change or they will be required to leave the sideline.
‘‘They were all yelling at 11-year-old kids, and part of the problem is that they don’t know what’s going on from a rules perspective,’’ he said.
The incident has come to light in week three of a Sunday StarTimes campaign to kick booing into touch.
The organisation has adopted an anti-booing stance in a bid to promote better sideline behaviour.
Walsh said some fans believed they had a right to yell at referees, particularly professional referees, as they were being paid for their time.
However, he disagreed, and feels the situation is worse for lower-tier officials.
‘‘It’s the next level down where nobody’s being paid. They’re all still doing it because they want to