Dickson learning to go easier on his ref fraternity
BEING a “gobby” scrumhalf, Karl Dickson had been trying to referee the game long before he officially picked up the whistle but he says he’s mellowed since joining the other side.
The Harlequins star, 34, has been operating as a referee at various levels since 2013, giving him fresh perspective on how to behave as a player.
“I’ve definitely calmed down a little bit since I have become a referee,” he told
TRP. “It’s a different game for me. I have to take a bit of a backwards step from the gobby nine that I am.
“When the gobby nine talks to me, I see myself a bit so I just have a quiet word. Being a nine, you are kind of refereeing the game anyway, or trying to. Now when playing, I try and use hand actions rather than words, like when I want a player to roll away at the ruck, rather than screaming at the referee.
“The referees have clamped down with the backchat in the Premiership and that’s a good thing. A referee is not going to change his mind because you have said something.
“It’s wrong for players to start shouting and calling for yellow cards and penalties – just let the referee make the decision.”
Three weeks ago, Dickson took his balancing act to a new level when he played for Harlequins at the Ospreys on the Friday before refereeing Plymouth Albion’s clash with Moseley in National League One on the Saturday.
Taking charge of a Championship game by the end of the season is next on his agenda.
He added: “My refeering is going well and I’m really enjoying it. I’m just doing once a month for now but looking going forward it’s a potential option to pursue after rugby.
“I can’t referee Premiership games at the moment but I will hopefully do a Championship one before the end of the year. And then after that, international games could be in the not-too-distant future.
“I think it’s a great career path after you’ve finished playing but I feel young and could probably play for a good few more years. I’ve got to look at the long-term future though so we will see what that brings.”