• In conversion with change-makers from Aotearoa

For the first time ever, a team of New Zealand rugby referees are here in Sri Lanka for a comprehensive 24-day training and development programme. This initiative is aimed to support Sri Lankan referee’s training and development, for free of charge. The team will deliver the training programme in two major rugby cities and key development areas, with the last 10 days focused on the Sri Lankan Club Rugby season. This project is led by Krishan Ambawatte, a Sri Lankan rugby referee based in New Zealand supported by Lankan and New Zealand officials.

The team includes a referee educator and a performance coach panel consisting Sam Fellows, Sam Thompson, and Sean Curragh who bring a vast amount of experiences to share with the Lankan community.

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Sean Curragh: The youngest in the group at just 19 with seven years of refereeing experience hailing from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, Sean’s career includes refereeing the Bay of Plenty Premier Development Final, participating in the World School Festival in Thailand in 2023, and serving as an assistant referee for National NPC games. He has officiated five Provincial Premier games and is rapidly building a strong reputation in the sport.

Sean, what is your biggest challenge in rugby and refereeing whilst still being a teenager?

I think being so young, it's been kind of earning a bit of respect from players and coaches. At the  end of the day that comes down to a bit of time behind the whistle. Also the people that you surround yourself with in the referee group as well. In Sri Lanka they've got a really strong and tight referee group that support each other and want each other to do the best. It's the exact same back home. So I think having a tight community around you, and just picking every bit of information you can get out of everyone to learn and grow.

What do you think of the refereeing setup here in SL and what can you add as well as take back home from here?

The level of rugby in terms of schoolboy and club level, It's very professional. It has been done to a professional level and taken seriously, which is awesome to see. It shows that the people here love their rugby. So I think we could definitely take home a bit of that professionalism and help grow our game in that space to give young players exposure to being quite professional.

As a referee still in your teens, what is your message to the youngsters who want to take up the whistle but are holding back due to various reasons?

Whatever's holding you back, don't let it hold you back. I was in the same position 50/50 in terms of the abuse and whatnot that you can receive. And I won't lie to you, you will have some bad experiences, but like what I said before about having that tight network around you, you'll come out the other side, and you'll realise that actually you were probably right in the call that you made. Just keep your head down. Work hard, and it's very rewarding. I mean, at 19, I've already had a nice trip over to Sri Lanka to grow my game and the game here. So it's very rewarding in that sense that you can meet new people and referee around the world.

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Sam Thompson: boasts over 18 years of refereeing, having been affiliated with Poverty Bay, Manawatü, Horowhenua-Kāpiti and currently the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union. With over 40 New Zealand First Class games (Referee & AR) and 144 Provincial Premier games. Thompson was ranked as the number one referee in the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Union from 2018 to 2023. Не has officiated in three Premier finals and two Hurricane Zone College Boys Finals, cementing his status as a top-tier referee. 

As a veteran in the arena, what is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a referee?

Probably self doubt, to be honest with you. But I think the more time you spend out in the middle, you get that confidence, and you learn to reflect on yourself and grow as a person. And once you start to overcome those challenges from what's coming inside, you realise that it's just the love and the passion that keeps you going every single time, and it's not as bad as we think it is. 

How is the transition from a player to a referee? 

Oh that’s a good question. Well I was lucky, I was first-five-eight (flyhalf), so I was able to read the play naturally hence  Lot of the hard stuff I had easily. It took a while, I'm not going to lie, but I went through the programs quite young as a referee. I guess they identified that I had some talent. I've done 144 premier matches now, and plenty of first fast matches as well.

So I've moved around a little bit over the years, but it's good fun. I do encourage anyone to get out there to blow the whistle, because look where I am now? Sri Lanka. Who would have thought this 20 years ago and being able to give something back to the sport that I absolutely love that has given so much to me. This is what it's all about. Now,

What advice would you give out to up and coming? 

Give it a go. Everyone will always give you a reason not to do it. It's up to you to find a reason to do it. You won't regret it. Make the most of it.

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Sam Fellows: A Level-2 referee, with 21 years of experience. He has officiated for the Auckland, Waikato, and Southern California Rugby Unions (USA). Also officiating (Referee/AR/TMO) 39 New Zealand First Class games, 110 Provincial Premier games, and three World Rugby Sevens tournaments. Notable highlights from his career include refereeing the Bay of Plenty Premier Final and officiating at the Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji. In addition to his on-field experience, Fellows has spent 10 years as a coach, which will further enrich the training he provides to Sri Lankan referees.

Sam, how is your point of view on the player to referee shift? 

I think it's a bit difficult for some people to get the heat around, but I think it's a natural progression. I find that the referees who have been players, particularly to a high level, tend to understand the game quite well. And sometimes I think there's the disconnect between referees and players, is that they don't understand each other. So when you get a player who's come in and understands them, I think you get less issues. 

In New Zealand, for example, we have a program where players who have refereed first class level, provincial level or above, they get accelerated through the refereeing program. Good examples are guys like Glenn Jackson and Paul Williams who have refereed Test matches coming off the back of being pro-rugby players as well.

Any motivating words for the youth of Lanka who are shying away from refereeing?

I think the key is just that it's an awesome way to be part of the game, you get to stand in the middle and still be involved in the game. It also teaches you a lot of important lessons- leadership, making decisions under pressure, which I think are great for the rest of your life. And you make connections, and you can still be part of teams, and be a part of other referees. I think ultimately, that's what it is.

What would be one message from you to our sports crazy islanders?

We're from an island nation too. The key for me is, ultimately, just do what you love and love what you do, you give it your all.

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Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees President Dinka Peiris: 

“This is a historical moment for the Sri Lanka referees society. It has never happened. So we are really proud of the referees taking the initiative to come here. I think our Lankan referees will definitely get the value additions on board and climb the next step.”

Do you think this initiative will inspire our youngsters to take up refereeing?

When we started negotiating with them we specifically notified of a need for a young up and coming referee and we’ve got Sean Curragh who is just 19 and we can really market him amongst our kids to take up refereeing and come onboard by showing that if Sean can do why can’t our lads?

Meanwhile the referees boss Dinka noted that the three referees are set to officiate the opening week games of the Sri Lanka Inter Club Rugby League starting next weekend.