Rugby referee talks to Rotary Club

BANBRIDGE Rotary Club was given an insight into the difficulties faced by rugby referees recently when it welcomed Simon McDowell to one of its meetings.

Simon, who has been refereeing for some 15 years, has officiated at matches in over 20 countries during his career including refereeing the first ever final of the Under 21 World Cup in Johannesburg.

He also officiated at the 2007 World Cup in France and has refereed 22 Heineken Cup matches. He was Assistant Referee at the recent Six Nations match between England and Wales and will be doing so again when Wales play France on February 26 and France play England on March 20.

During the course of his talk, Simon outlined some of the difficulties encountered in interpreting the laws as well as relating many of the more amusing incidents during his career.

Rotary Club member, Trevor Robinson, in thanking Simon for his talk, said he had given the Club a fascinating insight into refereeing and would certainly think twice before ever questioning any referee’s decision again!

The Rotary Club has a regular programme of speakers and meets every Tuesday evening in the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge.