The 2020 rugby season is already vastly different from other seasons. Even more so for the Waikato Rugby Referees. This year our referees will be wearing what has become their ‘normal’ green jersey, an orange jersey and a newly freshened up pink jersey. 

The thinking behind the range of jerseys are to keep things fresh and always thinking of new ways to encourage more people to give refereeing a go. 

Newly registered referees and younger referees will have the option of wearing the orange jersey. What has previously been the alternate jersey when the referee clashes with a team, the orange jersey is now for our new & younger referees. The purpose behind this change is generate an awareness with the wider rugby community that the orange jersey referees are new to the game and just learning. 

We want our new referees to enjoy their refereeing and still feel apart of the team. This orange jersey we are hoping will allow for this. The public will know they are learning, they are going to make mistakes, but are doing their best in the early stages of their refereeing journey. But also ensure the new referees look the same as their fellow referees - same sponsors, same design, just a different colour. 

The introduction of the pink jersey will be primarily used for 7s events and for our referees that go to other provincial unions for 7s events. We went with a different colour and look to be different and to be fresh. 7s is fast and exciting rugby, our referees will look fresh and exciting. Looking good in new kit we will encourage some new people to join our refereeing ranks. 

The green jerseys, which have become standard in the last four to five years, will remain for a large majority of our referees you will see out their refereeing community rugby. 

Waikato Rugby Referees are proudly supported by Grassroots Trust, Gallaghers, Total Help Ltd, Kukri & Optimo. 

If you want to register and referee rugby in 2020, contact Waikato Rugby’s Referee Manager Michael Winter via email on michaelw@mooloo.co.nz

Article added: Thursday 28 May 2020