Page 19 - League Lens - Feb 2018
P. 19
REF ON THE RISE
Zane Richardson is a promising Although he was hesitant to Seven Auckland Rugby
Auckland referee with huge begin with, Zane says it’s a
goals this year. decision he has never League match officials
are among the country’s
regretted. elite who have been
In his three years of selected to be part of the
refereeing, the 18-year-old Te “I think sideline abuse or the New Zealand Rugby
Atatu Roosters junior has built thought of it happening to you League Referees
a real passion for the game, is what puts most people off Academy.
and an ambition to play footy giving it a go.
has changed to ruling it, with The talent development
hopes to one day referee in programme aims to identify,
the NRL. “It happens, but with ARL’s ‘Be
a Sport’ campaign we feel train and develop referees
much more supported by the suitable for the high
“I broke my finger in 2015 and clubs and teams that we’re performance pathway.
thought of ways in which I refereeing.
could stay involved with the The NZRL Academy sessions
game. The opportunity to involve fitness and weights
referee at mini/mod level “At the end of the day, I’m the training, working on making
came up and I never looked one with the whistle… if any decisions under fatigue,
backed,” Zane says. one has any issues with it they along with work in various
could try and pick it up
themselves.” theory and video sessions.
After two years of refereeing Auckland Rugby League
the younger age-grades, football development officer
Richardson made the decision With two grand finals under his Viggo Rasmussen was
to further his skills and enrol in belt, Zane has set himself included in the academy,
an international grades referee bigger goals for the new year. seeing it as an ideal
course. development opportunity.
“I hope to one day represent
the Auckland Referees’
“I really got into,” he says. “It’s a privilege to be rubbing
Association in Australia at a shoulders with some of New
schools carnival, to be chosen Zealand’s best rugby league
“I started to become more among other referees from referees,” Rasmussen says.
passionate about the game and Auckland and New Zealand for
when there was no home team the elite referees’ programme “It has really opened my eyes
for me to play in last year, I and to improve my overall to what can be achieved and
knew this was something I referee game.” the pathways available to
wanted to do – especially if I match officials.”
wanted to progress further.”
