Ref Richards off to Madrid
Like many referees, schoolmastering set Dean Richards on a refereeing course which will take him this weekend to Madrid for the European Nations Cup match between the Leones of Spain and the Lelos of Georgia.
It is not the first time refereeing has taken him abroad in a career that started in 1995 when he was 25. Away from the Six Nations countries, he has also refereed in Germany, Russia, Dubai and South Africa and hopes to go to New Zealand non exchange in mid-year.
Born in Henley-on Thames on 4 July 1969 and educated there (Gillotts School and King James College) Dean Douglas Richards went to Reading University and is now a schoolmaster, the deputy head at Denmead Prep, a part of the Hampton Schools Foundation which is not far from Hampton Court.
He played in the back row. “I played representative age group – Under-21 South West a far cry from the pampered academies these days. We met on Sunday played with a player short and had your kit stripped off you before you got in the changing room. I was the captain of Oxfordshire Under-21. My club was Henley, in and out of 1st XV during the Clive Woodward era but was not fast enough, not big enough and not Australian enough – probably not good enough. My greatest playing achievements were winning the County Cup and scoring a hat trick on my first team debut.”
He was head of games at Denmead in 1995 when he joined the Berkshire Referees’ Society. “I was refereeing at school and enjoying it. In the critical world of prep school supporters I seemed to get a lot of praise. I was going through some knee problems whilst playing so thought I’d give it a go. I needed a different challenge after I accepted that my playing ability didn’t really match my ambitions. I was encouraged by Paul Emerson to get involved – pleased that he will be on the line with me for my game this Saturday.”
First game? Slough 3rds v Vandals somethings. “David Robertson still complains about crooked feeds!”
Biggest influences in early career? “Nigel Starmer-Smith for making time for a brief word after my third ever game, Chris White for popping into changing rooms and encouraging and Brian Campsall for showing that those who run distinctively can make it! Thanks also to Alun Thomas for sharing journeys in the early years though I’m not sure that AC-DC was good visualisation music though. Others who helped David Levy who had to listen to my issues whilst getting through the South West groups, Andy Melrose, Terry Friend and Clive Annets in the south west for support after managing the next steps in human resources disaster. There was Jim Marr for guidance and intelligence and helping me to stay keen after my meningitis. He sorted out many issues and remains an important part of my support. Michael Mellick persuaded me that all the gremlins are positives and there were those at the RFU who gave me opportunities. I owe particular thanks also to Chris Sharp who manages to keep everything in perspective for me and John Buckley father-in-law who takes me all round the country as my manager.”
He progressed from Berkshire to South West and then to the National Panel (2001) and European Rugby (2005) – and speaks of key matches – Barkers Butts vs Mansfield (Did they need a ball?), Orrell vs London Welsh in National League 1, the BUSA Final between Loughborough and Hartbury and then his first Premiership match – Bristol vs Leicester Guinness Premiership, for which he thanks whoever drove into Tony Spreadbury’s car.
He has been to Durban, South Africa, twice – on exchange in July 2004 – ” an amazing experience and fantastic learning opportunity. I’ll never forget the size of the Glenwood Falcons sponsors drinking boots or the car stereos at Jaguars RFC.” He was back in 2005 as a touch judge at the IRB’s Under-19 World Championship. In 2006 he was at the IRB Sevens in Dubai and London and then refereed in the EDF Energy Cup and the European Challenge Cup. This April he will be at the IRB’s Under-19 World Championship in Belfast. He has had two trips to Siberia – “and there is an Irish bar there too”.
On Friday he flies to Madrid with Roy Maybank and Paul Emerson.
Dean is married to Katie and they have two children – William (5) and Charlotte (3). They live in Twyford in the royal county of Berkshire.
