Andy Macpherson - an excited referee
Andy Macpherson of Scotland is excited. He is about to referee his first-ever Test match and he is not yet 25.
On Saturday he will run out onto a field in Madrid to referee the European Nations Cup match between Spain and Russia.
Just the breakthrough into Test rugby is exciting, but there will also be all the generous fun of being in Spain to celebrate it.
Looking forward to the match Macpherson said: “Spain vs Russia is my first Test match and I can’t wait for the match to start! Being appointed to referee a Test match is the ambition of all referees who take up the whistle.”
For some time now, since Jim Fleming dominated Scottish refereeing, Scots have had few opportunities on the international scene. Perhaps there is a breakthrough coming for a young, well educated young man who made an impression in Dubai last year.
Dubai? The International Rugby Board’s Under-19 World Championship was held there last year. It is a great opportunity for young players and also for young referees to make their mark. Andy Macpherson was appointed to referee the final. Clearly he was on the road to success.
Andrew Macpherson was born on 6 April 1982 and educated at Belmont Academy, a coed non-demo national school in auld Ayr with a motto suitable for a referee – Bear Witness. From there he went on to University of Stirling, from which he graduated four years later with a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies – a suitable degree for his present employment as the University and College Retention Manager for Scottish Rugby. “The main purpose of my job is to ensure that when rugby players leave school, that they continue playing when they go to University or College. Additionally, I try to recruit more coaches and referees in to University and College Rugby in Scotland. “
He had played rugby at school and for Ayr RFC until he was 18. “Unfortunately I was very injury prone and had to have a couple of knee operations and the doctors suggested that perhaps playing rugby wasn’t the best idea for me. I decided I was too young to give up my involvement in the sport and I didn’t fancy coaching so I took up refereeing instead.”
The young man joined the West of Scotland Referees’ Society. “I have made a lot of friends in this Society and they ensure my feet are kept firmly on the ground despite the matches I am refereeing!”
In six short years he is refereeing his first Test. It clearly will be the pinnacle of his career so far, but there have been other highlights.
“There have been many highlights in my career so far (even in only six years!). In April 2006, I refereed the Division A Final of the IRB Under-19 World Championship in Dubai between New Zealand and Australia. Since then I have progressed to refereeing Magners League matches (including Munster vs Cardiff at Thomond Park, the week after Munster had won the Heineken Cup) and European Challenge Cup matches (including Bath vs Harlequins and Worcester vs Clermont Auvergne).
“Obviously refereeing my first Test, Spain vs Russia, this weekend is another highlight for me. Refereeing the first two legs of the IRB World Sevens series this season as well as the London and Edinburgh Sevens later this season are also highlights for me. “
Obviously he has talent and obviously people have been helping him. “My friends and family have been incredibly supportive of my refereeing and I couldn’t do what I do without their support. Martyn Hawthorn, Referee Development Officer for my Society, has been incredible. He has been a friend and a mentor since the beginning of my refereeing career and I am incredibly grateful to him for that. Since the Under-19 World Championship, I have been incredibly grateful to Paddy O’Brien (IRB Referees Manager), Bob Francis and Michel Lamoulie (both IRB Referee Selectors), Jim Fleming, Roy McCombe and many others for their support and advice – as well the appointments they have given me! I am also very grateful to my employers, Scottish Rugby, for the support that they have given me over the last 12 months.”
Role models? “There are many great referees around the world whom I am admire for their ability to remain calm under pressure. As a Scotsman, Jim Fleming is an obvious role model for me. In addition, Chris White, Alan Lewis, Jonathan Kaplan and Wayne Barnes are just some of the referees on the current IRB Referee Panel whom I admire.”
His ambition? “As with all referees who have ambition, the ultimate aim is to referee the World Cup Final. Whether that is realistic or not remains to be seen! Since I started refereeing, I have had the aim of going to the 2011 World Cup as a Match Official. At 24, I have time on my side and will have to be patient and see what comes my way! Of more immediate concern is to establish myself at Magners League and European Challenge Cup level over the next couple of seasons and hope that I can progress to Heineken Cup and more Test matches thereafter.”
