Blowing the whistle on School Rugby hooliganism and its aftermath
An issue in inconsistency is why the punishment to one school this year, compared with last year when action was taken against a spectator. Why the difference between then and are now?
I would think that Match Officials (referees) are foolish on continuing to take the whistle. but wise in not disrupting the game. Keep off for a few weeks or months and see how things go. There have been over 250 matches played to date, and an equal number to come in various age groups.
Last year, the referees' interim committee headed by Chula Dharmadasa took a decision not to appoint referees for junior school games. They asked the school to find schoolboys or young old boys to take the whistle, so that a few could develop in the next three years. Royal had two, who are under 20, one from Isipathana around 22, and another current player from St. Peter's has shown interest. What did the rest do for the many junior games? Most recruited referees from the Society and paid them as Under-10 or 12 coaches, and to referee junior matches. Who is it that took the short cut and be accused of being white with lines of shade?
This is true in the case of most schools who recruit referees of a lower level to their coaching staff, but ask to keep referees out of coaching. A careful analysis would reveal they first took to refereeing and then the schools recruited them as coaches.
I remember only one coach who took to refereeing when challenged, and rose up the ladder to be in the Asian Panel. That Aruna Rankothge is also traversing the path of being a coach of match officials. He started as a coach and took up the challenge when he was right in pointing out the mistake of a referee. There are many from then to now, who are recruited by schools to coach juniors. Those who shout from the rooftops should ask their beloved, "Why are you doing this and why we are shouting?" Then we also talk of match fixing and various names when the mess is at your doorstep.
I also know of one former senior referee who is in the high echelons of the mercantile sector, who still referees Division II and III matches. He, I believe, is still capable and fit to handle a 'A' Division match at club or school level or be an Assistant Referee and be useful to an on-field referee.
His answer is, “I enjoy doing a lower level game; the pressure is less and the abuse is almost not there. Why should I referee and be under pressure or abused in a competitive match." He says, at lower levels there is abuse, but it is less and he can cope with it, but it seems they too are taking the cue from the lower upper-class.
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees' Educator