Page 10 - GRFC_NEWS_AUTUMN_2017

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Gwernyfed Old Boy Adam Jones looks back on last season as he continues to climb the refereeing ladder both at home and abroad...
GWERNYFED RFC
BEHIND THE WHISTLE
2016-17 has been a long but enjoyable season that started back in August and has only just finished. My season kicked off in late summer - I was selected to go and referee in South Africa for an U18 tournament that included Wales, South Africa and England to name a few.
To referee in SA was a great experience and to spend three weeks there I had plenty of time to move around and referee some great games including England vs South Africa. 2016-17 was my first proper year of refereeing Sevens and after South Africa, the summer was mainly spent refereeing Sevens tournaments to see how I enjoyed them with the view of being nominated and then possibly being selected the HSBC World Sevens series for 2017-18.
Luckily, I enjoyed the tournaments over the summer that saw me referee the four Welsh regions in the Singha 7s in the Cardiff Arms Park as well as being assistant referee in the finals in Wasps’ Ricoh Stadium.
In October I was luckily enough to be named on the World 7s Series panel for both the men’s and women’s with my name being assigned to seven tournaments around the world.
These tournaments offer something different in each country we go to and I always feel a sense of excitement as to what each country offers.
When we are there, we spend most of the time training or in meetings, but always have a day off where we go explore the area and always take part in different activities. Some of the countries that I have been to this year include Japan, Canada, Australia, USA and Dubai.
I was very lucky while in Sydney to referee the final between Canada and the USA - refereeing in front of 65,000 people always creates a special buzz that can’t be outdone!
With all the Sevens tournaments going on I haven't done as much 15s rugby this season as in the past but still I have experienced some great games and occasions such as the Welsh University Varsity match between Swansea and Cardiff Uni in the Principality Stadium and a semi final of the Welsh Premiership between Aberavon and Bedwas.
In February I was appointed to my first Under 20 Six Nations game between Italy and Ireland in Florence and then I was appointed to referee in the second tier of European Rugby the Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh and Timisoara
Saracens of Romania. This was very unexpected andabiggameformetogetatanearlyage of my refereeing career - one that I felt very fortunate to be able to referee. Luckily, the game was a good open flowing one - that always helps a referee!
My 15s season ended with me being assistant referee for judgement day in the Principality Stadium between the Scarlets and Dragons, with Nigel Owens refereeing the match. This season I have been on the line three times for Nigel; the amount you learn off him is extremely valuable and everything he says furthers my development I believe.
To finish off, at the start of July I was voted Welsh Principality Premiership Referee of the year for the 2016-17 season. It was an award that meant a lot to me as it is voted by the coaches in Wales. It was a big shock, but an award I was delighted to receive.
My 2016-17 season has been one that has far surpassed my expectations and a long one that has seen me being away from home for over 150 days of the year refereeing, but whenever I am home I still always try and watch Gwernyfed with Dad and Rod - its great to return to the club that gave me my first chance to referee!
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