CHRIS White refereed in three World Cups and he will have an impact on this year’s tournament in France with two products of his officiating scholarship at the University of Gloucestershire, Matthew Carley and Christophe Ridley, last month named in the 19 match-day officials for rugby’s top event.
Carley was the first of White’s scholars in a programme which began in 2004. It started by accident after White went on a reconnaissance mission to the university for his rugby club, Cheltenham, and the only one of its kind in the UK has gone from strength to strength.
“It is a hidden gem and there is scope for it to grow into something much bigger,” said White, who refereed the 2003 World Cup semi-final between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney and took charge of more than 190 Premierships matches.
“It started when I went to the university for Cheltenham and the director of sport there introduced me to various scholars, from hockey to swimming. I asked where the referee scholar was and everyone laughed.
“It went from there. We kicked the idea around and Matthew Carley, a 19-year old sports education undergraduate from Kent, was the first of 75 scholars so far in a number of sports.”
White is the lead for the scholarship and he is also the head coach of the RFU’s professional match officials. The two jobs are distinct but they have a link with White, who started refereeing by accident when he was 17, also involved in the referee pathway in England.
“It all started for me in a pub on a Friday night,” he said. “Cheltenham Saracens needed a referee for their match against Evesham the following day and someone suggested I could do it. After a few shandies I agreed and I went on to referee some 200 games by the time I was 27, playing for Cheltenham at the same time.
Denne historien er fra June 04, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 04, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
