Referees will be seen in their newly sponsored kit for the first time when they take charge of the season’s opening matches to be played on Friday evening.
“This new sponsorship deal is a huge boost,” said Director of Referees, Clive Norling. “We are naturally delighted that Specsavers has undertaken this responsibility for the next four seasons. Spectators will also be pleased that at long last referees have taken their advice and joined forces with the UK`s largest opticians! Like all referees, I was subjected to humorous comments from the terraces on match days such as ‘open your eyes ref, you’re missing a great game.'”
This agreement therefore is not just a major financial boost but it is also
hoped that it will assist in bringing back to the terraces some traditional humour. Its timing is also of importance in that it comes at a time when the recruitment of referees is almost at crisis point. The Director of Referees naturally feels that it is of great concern that attendance figures for referee coaching courses are down by nearly 50 per cent.
“Verbal abuse hurled at referees by coaches and spectators has contributed hugely to the problem in that it turns potential referees away from taking up the whistle,” said Norling.
“The recent attack on David McHugh, during the Tri-Nations clash in Durban, is a classic example of the abuse referees have to withstand. It is hoped that the partnership with Specsavers will encourage a swift return of the morehumorous comments aimed at referees, replacing the foul personal abuse that, sadly is nowadays hurled at match officials. Not only current but also future referees will benefit in many ways from the substantial investment that the company has made with the Welsh Rugby Union.”
Chairman of the Union Glanmor Griffiths is equally up beat about the new deal. ” This is yet another example of a well known company underlining their faith in our game,” he said. “Without referees, we have no game, and so,to have a company who want to directly fund that aspect is a huge bonus. We are delighted to bring them on board to be part of a thriving modern professional game.”
‘Get your blinking eyes tested ref’ placards will be distributed by Specsavers to fans as part of a programme of activities aimed at diffusing the hostility faced by many of today’s referees.
