Thanks Ref round referee profile: Patrick Shepherd

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This Saturday 29 June, the WRFU is holding its annual ‘Thanks Ref’? round of club rugby.? Clubs and schools are requested to make a special effort to thank the match officials for all their hard work, and remember without them the sport wouldn't be played.?

As part of this weekend’s Thanks Ref round, we caught up with Patrick Shepherd who recently made the inspired decision to take up refereeing after having a cardiac arrest, aged 16. Patrick Shepherd's a typical teenaged sports loving student from the Hutt Valley, whose rugby playing career was cut short last year after he had a cardiac arrest when playing water polo for his school. He says "I blacked out and sunk to the bottom of the pool, everyone thought I was mucking around until one of my team mates pulled me out, then they all realised I was unconscious". In hospital they found out that Patrick may have long qt syndrome, which means his heart could just stop beating.

Now he has an implanted defibrillator in his chest and continuing to play the game he loves may damage this. So in April of this year he made the inspired decision to take up refereeing.

Patrick recently refereed his first game and says "after the first whistle the nerves went... I have a lot to work on, but really enjoyed it.” Here’s some more information about Patrick:

Name: Patrick Shepherd

School: Hutt Valley High School (Year 12)

When did you start refereeing?

In May 2013. I’ve done 5 or 6 games so far. I started off refereeing Under-65kg college games, which is the grade I’d be playing in if I still could.

What is your rugby playing background?

I’ve played rugby for most of my life, I played for two years at HVHS as a lock.

Do you miss playing?

No I don't feel like I'm missing out, I enjoy refereeing now.

How did you come to the decision to be a referee?

My dad used to referee and he saw how disappointed I was that I couldn’t play. So he first suggested it. I then? talked to an old swimming coach, Brad Hudson, who is also a current referee and he put me on to the WRRA? and I went from there.

Are you the only person in your school refereeing?

The assistant principal Tim Fox is a former active referee and he now coaches referees.

What are the challenges of being a new referee?

The rules - there are a lot of rules that I didn’t know or I was never totally sure about. So? schooling up on these has been a lot of work. You also have to put in a lot more time and effort to be a referee. As a player you turn up to training and then turn up to the game but as a referee we are told to clean our boots every game, we have got to write reports when we give out cards. I have to check my bag every Saturday to make sure I’ve got everything.? There’s the talk with the two teams before the match. Then if you make a mistake as a referee everyone is on to you; if you make a mistake as a player it generally gets passed on.

What are your goals out of refereeing?

I want to be the best I can be. I want to make it so the players have fun. I don’t care what the spectators think, but if the players thank me after the game then I am happy with that.

What about long-term aspirations?

I want to make a professional career of it!

Are there any rule changes you’d like to change about rugby?

Rucking should be allowed.

Who are your favourite rugby players?

Conrad Smith and Brad Thorn.

Your sporting background is in the water as well as in rugby?

Yes, prior to my cardiac arrest I was in the pool at least 10 times a week. I played water polo for my school and for the Hutt club and I also did competitive swimming. I’m waiting on some tests at the moment to see if I am allowed to get back into water sports.

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