I am honoured to be elected President of the Association of Referees Leinster Branch for 2015/16 and will continue to strive and ensure its good standing is maintained within the IRFU.
I have inherited the Presidency of an Association which is in a very strong position under the management of the Hon Secretary Pierce Fitzpatrick, Treasurer Bryan O’Neill and Chairmen of various committees and, my goal with the assistance of all Members, is to bring it to maintain this high standard.
A proud Member of Old Wesley for 38 years, for the last 30, I have refereed and touch-judged throughout Ireland and at times abroad – although still blowing my whistle, nowadays I assist new referees as they progress up the ranks. It is my hope that they will gain as much enjoyment as I continue to do from the game of rugby football.
The ARLB has structures in place to help aspiring referees reach their goal of officiating at the highest level within the province and thereafter, the IRFU will provide additional opportunity to progress further. Attendance at the excellent Workshops given by Dave O’Brien is expected especially if one harbours ambitions of advancing up the refereeing ladder.
It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Gary Conway following his appointment to officiate at this summer’s World Rugby Under 20 Championship – Gary rose through the ranks to become Leinster’s Referee of the Year in 2013/14 before joining the Pro12 refereeing circuit.
Gary, best wishes for a successful Tournament and, I know you will do both yourself and the ARLB proud.
One of the main aims of the ARLB is the recruitment of referees and I will be ensuring this continues. New blood is the future of the Association and without additional referees, we will not flourish. In the past, dependence was upon the Clubs to put forward names for consideration but as this well has almost run dry, I appeal that if you know a suitable person, please ask them to seriously consider taking up the whistle.
I look forward to working as a Team of 3 with Dave MacDonald and Conor Byrne, my respective Senior and Junior Vice Presidents during the year ahead.
Fellow ARLB Members, I thank you again for the trust placed in me – I will not let you down.
Wayne Sheridan
President
Association of Referees Leinster Branch 2015/16
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