Shock decline in SA Referee numbers
In just two years the number of registered referees in South Africa has dropped from 2 700 to 1 800. This is a matter of grave concern.
After a presentation by Steve Meintjes, the chairman of South African referees, and Andre Watson, the manger of South African referees, the President’s Council of SARU immediately expressed its dismay and its determination to stamp out referee abuse which is a major contributing factor to the decline.
The worrying decline in the number of referees at provincial level was also discussed. The Council acknowledges that the decline can be ascribed to several factors.
The meeting resolved that SARU and the SA Referees Association will engage all the relevant stakeholders, including the media, in order to draft and ultimately implement a strategic plan of action. This will include the recruitment of new match officials and measures to enhance the image of match officials.
Prinsloo said the decline in referees has become especially evident during the past two years.
Johan Prinsloo, the CEO of SARU, said: “The primary reasons for this decline are the consistent verbal and physical abuse referees are subjected to during and after matches from spectators, players, administrators and also negative media reports. We deplore the constant attack on match officials as they are an integral part of the game.
“Of concern to SARU is the fact that the standard of match officials and therefore also the quality of rugby played will ultimately suffer if we allow this worrying trend to continue.”
Meintjes welcomed SARU’s determination to reverse the trend.
