Former DHL Western Province and SA Sevens star Egon Seconds has taken up refereeing.
Nothing beats experience, so the decision by Seconds and another ex-national player – Women’s star Aimee Barrett – to take up the whistle upon retirement is great news for refereeing in South Africa.
Aimee and Egon are both highly-decorated (now retired) players who’ve worn the Green & Gold on many occasions – at Sevens and 15-a-side level. At last weekend’s Springbok v Wallabies Castle Rugby Championship clash at DHL Newlands, Aimee and Egon were flag bearers on the field during the build-up to the game.
Aimee first represented Western Province at U15 and went on to captain the Springbok Women’s team, playing Fifteens, Sevens and SA Women’s Touch Rugby. Egon represented Western Province from U17, went on a Springbok A tour to Argentina and played for the Springbok Sevens team from 2001 to 2007.
Both Aimee and Egon joined the Western Province Referees’ Society this year and are already working their way through the grading process.
Refereeing isn’t for the faint-hearted, whether at school or international level. But the thrill of applying hard-won knowledge and making a positive contribution to the game is reward enough for most referees.
There is a shortage of referees in the country and the decision by two high-profile ex-players to take up the whistle is something that other retired players should consider.
If you are interested in becoming a referee, please email [email protected] with your contact details.
With thanks to www.sareferees.com.