Mat’land rugby referees honoured
MATABELELAND Rugby Referees Society last Wednesday held an awards ceremony for its members with fast rising Shemeah Mushiribindi walking away with the top accolade.
The event took place at Hartsfield Rugby Ground with 23-year-old Mushiribindi, who has spent the last few months in Witbank, South Africa deservedly taking the referee of the year award. He has over the last two years done exceptionally well to become one of the top rugby referees in the country. Some of the highlights for Mushiribindi were being fourth official during the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy held in Harare in April, handled Gold Cup match between Old Georgians and Durban Collegians at OGs in October.
In South Africa, Mushiribindi was assistant referee for the Currie Cup Under-21 match between the Pumas and Blue Bulls at Mbombela Stadium on 10 September before he went on to be fourth official for the seniors fixture on the same day. He officiated the Sharks Under-14 against Blue Bulls.
Another bright prospect Leo Muunganirwa won the Junior Referee of the Year award, Michael Zvakavapano took the most improved prize while Leroy Muchivete took the knob accolade which is handed out to a match official who does something funny that becomes a talking point. Muchivete, an up-and-coming referee got too excited on his way to Falcon College to an extent that he forgot his change on the bus when he dropped off in Esigodini. Determined to get to the private school, Muchivete walked all the way to Falcon College until he was picked up along the way by MRRS chairman Simbarashe Dangah.
The awards ceremony was attended by Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Nyararai Sibanda, Zimbabwe Rugby Referees president Gerald Chipumha, Matabeleland Rugby Football Board chairman Thulani Tabulawa and national sevens rugby team coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba. Dangah said the awards ceremony which has not taken place in a number of years is definitely there in 2017 with a sponsor already in place. —