USA draws up refs' panels

The USA Rugby Referee and Laws Selection Committee has chosen the 2007-2008 National Panel Referees and National Focus Group referees.

The USA Rugby National Panel named for the 2007-2008 season includes newcomers Chris Draper (West), Ed Gardner (South) and Tom Lyons (MARFU), as well as all members of the 2006-2007 National Panel, who were reconfirmed for 2007-2008. Two have retired – Richard Every and Bob Toomy.

In conjunction with the Territorial Referee Education Officers (REO), the Selection Committee also named the National Focus Group, which was created to identify candidates for the National Panel with a territorial grade of B2 or higher, for additional developmental opportunities.

USA Rugby Director of Referee Development and Selection Committee Chairman Ed Todd served as moderator for the meeting, and other participating committee members included National Panel Manager Richard Every; former Test referee Don Morrison, representing the Evaluation Committee; Referee Education Officer Charlie Haupt; Mike Cobb, representing the Referee and Laws General Committee; George Betzler, representing the coaching community; and Referee and Laws Appointments Officer Fred Thomas.

Todd said: “Over the past year, a substantial effort was made to create and clarify developmental and promotional pathways. With the creation of the Territorial REO network, and enhanced communication between the national officers and the territories, the Selection Committee has been able to make well-founded appointments. I think the National Panel and National Focus Group will provide USA Rugby with an exceptionally talented pool of match officials for years to come. Congratulations to all.”

National Panel Referees:

International Referees Affiliation: Paul Bretz (Northern California, Pacific), Graeme Bullen (Texas, West)

National Panel: David Ardrey (Great Plains, West), Tom Coburn: (Eastern Rockies, West), Chris Draper (Texas, West), Ed Gardner (Southeast, South), Chris Henshall (EPRU, MARFU), Tim Luscombe (Eastern Rockies, West), Tom Lyons: (Potomac, MARFU), Jem McDowall (Met New York, Northeast), Simon Page (Florida, South), Richard Parker (New England, Northeast), David Peters (Southern California), Mark Zetterberg (Pacific Northwest, Pacific)

National Focus Group: Paul Bethe (NY Met, New England), Judah Boulet (Northeast, New England), Parker Carlisle (Southeast, South), Gavin Curtis (Florida, South), Phil Griffiths (Northeast, New England), Brad Kleiner (NY Met, New England), Aruna Ranaweera (Northern California, Pacific), Pete Smith (Northern California, Pacific), Dana Teagarden (Southern California)