SLRFU looking for former players to become referees
View(s):In a startling revelation the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) referees committee has understood that if the current phase of refereeing in Sri Lanka continues there will be no referees within the next five years.
The reason according to the observation is that over forty percent of Sri Lanka’s total referees are below 38 years of age while almost ninety percent of the Panel ‘A’ and ‘B’ referees are above 38. Nearly sixty percent of these are over 40 years.
The SLRFU referees committee has made public a progress report on Sri Lankan refereeing. The report says: “after a comprehensive review of Sri Lankan refereeing in December, 2014, the structure recommended for the future is based on; recruitment and retention – targeting schoolboys and ex-players, learning and development such as changing to a coaching and referee development mindset, high performance which includes identifying, promoting and developing referees for the international stage.”
“Only 20 of schoolboys go on to play rugby for clubs and many of our young men are lost to the game. The invitation is therefore extended to some of you in the 80 per cent to take another path to continue in rugby,” the report adds.
The SLRFU referees committee invites rugby enthusiaststo join and become a rugby referee, “or else the game will face a major problem,” they say.
“With this in mind there is a process that has been put in place and recruit ex-players into refereeing. The process also has a Learning and Development Unit with each refereeing panel having its own coach who will be responsible for referee development. The coaches are headed by Dilroy Fernando, a well reputed rugby referee who called it quits last season.
“Why we are so interested on this project is that Sri Lankan referees are known as the most reliable referees in Asia. This will be achieved if the structure is in place and is supported. If this is achieved, Sri Lankan domestic rugby will benefit immensely. There is an urgent need to recruit good young men into refereeing and the invitation is extended to those who are interested to contact the SLRFU,” the statement goes on to say.