Rugby dream comes true
WHEN Joel Stransky kicked the drop goal to give the Springboks a 15-12 victory over New Zealand in the 1995 World Cup final, teacher-in-training Kamal Rugbar knew he wanted a life in rugby.
Being past the age where he could begin a playing career, he decided to pursue involvement in the sport through refereeing.
Last month, Rugbar’s perseverance paid off when he was elected chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Referees’ Society.
“I think that, like the rest of the nation, I got caught up
Over the years, I have learnt from all the experts around me and this will be a big help during my term
in the emotion of the [1995] World Cup,” he said.
But it took several years before Rugbar committed to a refereeing career — after watching an under-14 match in Pietermaritzburg.
“I would definitely say the bug bit again after that,” he said.
Teacher’s referee dream comes true
He had to place his love for the game on the back burner while completing his teaching degree, but, after graduating and while finding his feet as a teacher, he got back to the sport.
“In the space of two years I travelled to every Springbok game across the country. It was an expensive hobby,” he said.
Now a deputy principal at a Pietermaritzburg high school and with a lot of refereeing experience under his belt, Rugbar believes he is equipped to tackle his new position.
In 2001, he joined the Midlands Rugby Union as a beginner referee and in 2003 handled his first match — an under-14 game.
“I was thrilled to be given the opportunity,” he said.
Rugbar served as the society’s vice-chairman for four years and believes his new position was therefore not too big a leap.
“I’m quite excited about it. This is a yearly appointment, and being elected by your peers does make it that much more special because it shows they have full confidence in you.
“Over the years, I have learnt from all the experts around me and this will be a big help during my term.”