New chairman for Blue Bulls refs
At the General Meeting of 30 November, the Blue Bulls Rugby Referees’ Society elected Gerhard Roodt as its new chairman to replace Oscar Somers who was no longer available.
The newly elected executive will serve for 2010 and 2011.
They are:
Chairperson: Gerhard Roodt
Vice-Chairperson: Johan Makkink
Assessment and Coaching: Kobus Beukes
Finances: Gerhard van Niekerk
Members and Social: Joppie Kunz
In addition Oscar Somers and Kosie Horn were elected as Life Members of the Society. Horn who has been referees manager for many years has been moved to a different department within the Blue Bulls set-up.
Gerhard Roodt joined the Society in 1982 and has been vice-chairperson since 2004. He is also the Match appointments secretary for the Society and has been doing this for many years.
In his last annual report Somers touched on many matters, including numbers, financial difficulties, activities, achievements and awards.
There are two sections to the Society – one based in Pretoria and one covering the vast expanse of Limpopo. The Society started the year with 121 active members in Pretoria and 26 in Limpopo. At the end of the season there were 101 active referees in Pretoria and 31 in Limpopo. The loss of experienced referees continues to be a concern.
In all Pretoria appointed just over three thousand match officials to matches. In Limpopo referees were appointed to 318 club matches and 331 schools matches. The referees in this farflung region travelled 85 467 km to serve these matches.
Somers spoke of financial problems arising from a reduced contribution from the Union because the Society had, for the first time, been required to play for the seats at its suite.
There was also the change in Kosie Horn’s administrative tasks which may well require the Society to employ and pay an administrator to take his place. Unless and agreement with the Union can be reached the Society would have serious financial problems in providing for its members.
During the season the Society ran Level 1 and 2 courses for referees, courses for assistant referees, and workshops for assessors and coaches.
Eight of the Society’s members were on SA panels. Ben Crouse and Luke Burger were on the provincial panel while Sewes Terblanche, Jan Venter, Jimmy Aphane and André Botha were in the Candidates Squad. Jocelyn Tucker and Renee Daniell were reserve Candidates. Lusanda Menze was on the national panel of assessors and François van Biljon on the panel of provincial coaches for referees. Renee Daniel was on the women’s contenders squad and Attie Buitendag of Limpopo was nominated as an assistant referee for the regional squad.
The following awards were made:
Exam result: Jan Venter (Pretoria), Attie Buitendag (Limpopo)
Fitness: Johan Fourie (Pretoria), Zarius van Rensburg (Limpopo)
Victor Ludorum: AJ Barnard
administrator of the Year: Nicole Malamatsho
Referees’ Referee of the Year: Jimmy Aphane (Pretoria), Attie Buitendag (Limpopo)
Best Progress by a Junior: Eshwin Booysen (Pretoria), Matie Willemse (Limpopo)
Best Progress by a Senior: André Botha
Carlton Status: André Botha
Provincial Status: Luke Burger, Jan Venter, Jimmy Aphane
Provincial Colours: Luke Burger, Jan Venter, Jimmy Aphane
Best Achievement: Ben Crouse
Chairman’s Award: Attie Buitendag
New Referee of the Year: Dico Henning
Most Dedicated Referee in Limpopo: Bjorn Viljoen
