adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
FIVE Mutare referees made their maiden appearance at the Dairiboard Schools Rugby Festival currently underway in Harare.
The five, Casper Bande, Gideon Muyambo, Patience Tswapayi, Mike Ngwari and Peter Sam signed up for the touch judging course held at Mutare Sports Club early this year and will soon be completing their Level One training to become certified referees.
World Rugby Zimbabwe educator, Walter Njowa, who has been conducting the refereeing short courses in different provinces, said the drive was to ensure there were certified referees in every province in the country.
“We brought Mutare touch judge referees to the Dairiboard festival to give them experience as they are still continuing with their Level One training.
“The drive, however, is to ensure we have certified referees in every province and in every district in the long run,” Njowa said.
He said rugby was growing with rules changing now and then, a reason why training and certification is important for referees.
One of the Mutare referees, Muyambo, said officiating at the country’s biggest schools rugby tournament was a great starting point to gain experience.
“It has been great officiating games at the Dairiboard festival. I have made connections with many seasoned referees and learned a lot about the new rules and the referees association,” said Muyambo.
Meanwhile, the Dairiboard festival is still underway with the last matches slated for today (Friday) for the Pool B schools and tomorrow for the Pool A schools.
Pool B comprises of the highly ranked rugby schools and promoted schools, while Pool B is for schools still budding in the sport.
Today, in the Pool B final matches, Rusape’s Vengere High will play against Gaza High from Chipinge at 12pm in the clash of Manicaland schools, while Marist Nyanga will take on Herentals College at 10am.
Tomorrow, in the Pool A final matches, the Mutare Shumbas will take on Murewa at 12.40pm.
Online Reporter