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As a recent WARURA Executive Committee (under the leadership of Kalamunda life member, Sean Popperwell) meeting, Rugby WA advised that Rugby WA were not prepared to send any WA referee to the University, Women’s or National U16 Championships as they were not of the required standard.
Rugby WA’s nominee for the National Division 2 Schoolboys Championships is Cottesloe half-back Graham Cooper. This has led to significant tension between the Referees Executive and Rugby WA.
The referee’s coaching and advisory board (CAB) made up of Peter Hilgendorf, Peter Liddle and Andrew Lindsay in a recent referee’s newsletter stated that only two Referee would receive development coaching this season. Ex-Nedlands front rower, Rob Kellam and Alex Ninkov (19 years old with one seasons experience in 2nd grade). Kellam has had a meteoric rise through the refereeing ranks from one first grade game in 2009 to 15 in 2010, and now getting all Force “A” games along with mentoring and specialised coaching. He was also sent to the Southern States Championships last year without the approved of the WARURA Executive. Why a referee who is a few months off 40 is getting all the development opportunities is beguiling.
The CAB have also determined that there are no referees currently able to be promoted into first grade so Hilgendorf and Lindsay have appointed themselves despite not even complying with the policy they developed for eligibility to ref at first grade level.
There is also division between the current first grade referees and the CAB as there are allegations of favouritism surfacing. Those who have asked questions of this have been told it's 'sour grapes' and it has affected their appointments.
The resulting affect is a great deal is unhappiness in refereeing ranks. No wonder they can’t attract and retain refs. I would say that the ref organisers at the WAJRU are doing a great job of developing junior talent but once they leave Britannia they face an uphill struggle fraught with politics and dodgy decisions.