The late Bell was more than just a first-class referee

Former Taranaki first class rugby referee Doug Bell has been remembered for his life-long service after he died this week.

Bell, a life member of the Taranaki Rugby Referees Association and Taranaki Rugby Football Union, first picked up a whistle in 1947 when, as a 21 year old, he began to referee primary school games.

He joined the Central Division in 1949 and achieved senior status in 1952 and continued to referee senior rugby until he retired as an active referee in 1968.

During his time with the whistle, he controlled three first class games, when Taranaki met Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Otago. He also controlled Taranaki against the North Island Maori, although that match was never accorded first class status. His spell in the top five spanned the years 1963 -1968.

His most exciting experience was the opportunity to referee the All Blacks against Taranaki in a festival game in Inglewood.

‘‘I couldn’t stay for the aftermatch function as I had a niece’s wedding to attend,’’ Bell said, while pointing out that his touch judges were John Luckin and John Reith.

After retiring, Bell never lost his touch and feeling for the game and referees. He was president of the referee’ association in 1963.

After he hung up the whistle he became involved in the classification, grading and coaching of referees.

In later years he was honoured with life membership of the referees’ association in 1980 and the rugby union 1997, recognising services rendered to rugby over a long period of time.

Bell was appointed patron of the referees’ association in 2002.