Three Laerskool President Steyn school staff members are celebrating a significant milestone after recently being appointed as senior referees with the Golden Lions Rugby Union.

Michael Kasselman, Shaun Potgieter and Duan Taylor have progressed through the refereeing ranks, with the trio crediting hard work, mentorship and their passion for rugby for helping them reach the next level.

For Michael, the journey into refereeing began as a way to improve his coaching.

“I think the initial decision came from wanting to learn more about the laws to make myself a better coach,” he said.

What started as an effort to better understand the finer details of the game soon developed into a passion.

“It just started to become a passion. As you learn more, your opportunities get bigger.”

Shaun, a former player, said refereeing allowed him to remain involved in the sport after his playing days.

“It helps to stay involved in the game,” he said, adding that refereeing also offered an opportunity to continue learning about rugby.

Duan’s journey began shortly after leaving school. He played rugby while also refereeing before injuries eventually forced him to stop playing.

“I decided to stop playing rugby and rather just stay with the game and just appreciate it,” he said.

He said refereeing taught him the importance of being confident in his decisions, while also helping him develop a desire to encourage others to remain involved in the sport.

The trio said their progression has also been supported by mentorship, particularly from their mentor Ruann Jooste, who has guided them throughout their development.

Recognition for hard work

Being appointed senior referees is more than simply receiving a new title for the three.

Michael said the promotion represented recognition for the hours of unseen work that go into becoming a referee, including fitness training and studying the laws of the game.

“It just shows you that your hard work is getting paid off and that you get recognised,” he said.

Shaun described the appointment as a major honour but stressed that reaching the new level does not mean the work stops.

“It doesn’t mean because you have it now, you can sit back and relax. You have to put in the work,” he said.

Duan said the promotion was particularly meaningful because he had taken refereeing seriously from the beginning of his journey.

“To see this hard work is paying off and everything, it’s amazing,” he said.

The pressure behind the whistle

While refereeing can be rewarding, the three acknowledge that it comes with significant physical and mental demands.

Michael said fitness is one of the biggest challenges, with a busy Saturday potentially requiring a referee to run around 25km.

Shaun highlighted the intensity of peak season, when thousands of school and club matches need to be officiated over a short period.

“You can do up to four games, six games in two days,” he said.

Maintaining concentration throughout those matches is essential, the trio explained, because one lapse in focus can have a significant effect on a game.

But physical demands are not the only challenge.

The referees also spoke openly about the criticism and abuse officials can receive from players, coaches and spectators.

Duan said dealing with abuse had been one of his biggest challenges.

“I’m a very soft-hearted guy. So when I hear, ‘you’re so bad’ and all that type of stuff, you struggle,” he said.

Over time, he said, he learned to develop a thicker skin and block out the criticism.

For Michael, communication is an important part of managing disagreements on the field.

He said players and coaches do not always understand how a particular law has been applied, and explaining the decision can help prevent conflict.

Shaun said remaining calm and not taking criticism personally were crucial.

“Players don’t know me personally. So I don’t take it personal,” he said.

The trio also emphasised that refereeing is ultimately about serving the game rather than becoming the centre of attention.

“It’s never about you, it’s always about the game,” Shaun said.

Confidence, calmness and adaptability

The three agreed that confidence, composure, hard work and passion are among the qualities needed to become a good referee.

Michael said confidence develops with experience.

“When you start, you’re very shaky. You’re nervous to make a wrong or right decision because you’re not sure if it’s the correct one,” he said.

Shaun said referees must also remain students of the game because no two matches are the same.

“You have to be able to adapt,” he said, explaining that referees must adjust to different ages, levels and styles of rugby.

The trio’s ambitions now extend beyond their latest promotion.

Their immediate goal includes working towards further promotions in primary school rugby, while bigger ambitions include officiating provincial-level matches and, ultimately, reaching the national stage.

Michael said he hopes to work towards national refereeing, while Duan described officiating at the highest level as his “end game”.

Shaun also hopes the trio can eventually help develop younger referees and encourage more people to take up the whistle.

A school community behind them

President Steyn has played an important role in supporting the referees.

The school has accommodated their officiating commitments and encouraged them to pursue their development while continuing with their responsibilities at school.

The three also described the support they receive from one another as an important part of their progress.

They regularly discuss decisions, share different perspectives and assist one another during matches.

“We all work hard and I think the big thing is we want to grow together and achieve greatness together,” Duan said.

Their message to learners interested in refereeing is simple: start early, get involved and find someone who can mentor you.

The trio also encouraged young referees to study the laws of the game rather than simply relying on what they see on the field.

Michael said there is a lot of training behind refereeing, including regular meetings where officials analyse match footage and discuss decisions.

The Golden Lions’ senior refereeing community also provides opportunities for officials to learn from experienced referees.

For the President Steyn trio, the appointment is therefore not an endpoint, but another step in a journey that they hope will take them to even bigger stages.

And while they recognise that criticism will always be part of the job, their focus remains on improving, supporting one another and serving the game they love.