HKRFU names elite referees panel, unveils path for youth development
The HKRFU on Monday announced a panel of seven elite referees for top-flight domestic and international matches in Hong Kong, as well as the creation of a new National Referee Academy and a Junior Referee Development Programme.
The HKRFU on Monday announced a panel of seven elite referees for top-flight domestic and international matches in Hong Kong, as well as the creation of a new National Referee Academy and a Junior Referee Development Programme.
The union’s most experienced match officials – Tobi Lothian, Warren Needham, Dewi Rowlands, Gabriel Lee Wing-yi, Patrick Kwok Tsz-kin, Matt Rodden and Tim Baker – will form the basis of the new Elite Referees Panel.
They will officiate at Premiership games and international fixtures taking place in Hong Kong, as well as Asian Rugby Football Union tests matches.
The aim of the junior programme is to develop match officials from a young age, with the long-term objective of producing top-quality Hong Kong referees for local, regional and world rugby
Elite referee Baker, who is the HKRFU’s senior referee development officer, will manage the new National Referee Academy which will include a Senior Referee Development Programme for match officials aspiring to break into the Premiership ranks.
The separate Junior Referee Development Programme is to be headed up by elite referee Rodden, the HKRFU’s community referee manager, and arose from a desire to encourage and support the growing number of young people showing an interest in refereeing.
“We want to throw the net as wide as possible,” said Rodden.
“We won’t exclude anyone purely on age or refereeing ability – unless they are too accomplished and have the potential for inclusion in higher level development programmes.
The aim of the junior programme is to “develop match officials from a young age, with the long-term objective of producing top-quality Hong Kong referees for local, regional and world rugby”, Rodden added.