Referees bind to share practical knowledge

Due to unforeseen circumstances, South African former rugby union referee, André Watson could not make it.

He educated them more on personal experiences, hints and organising of big events.

“During one of the Coca-Cola Craven Weeks, a rugby player was injured. The boy’s dad came running down the pavilion with a medical bib and took his child off the field.

“How the dad got an exact bib like the official medical staff, I still don’t know, but no parent is allowed onto the field.

“In another case, a referee wanted tea during the half-time break. You always have to be prepared for anything and make sure the referees have access to any requirements. These are just some of the most interesting cases I have had to deal with.”

In 1976 Pappas joined the Transvaal Rugby Referees’ Society as an active referee. In 1992 he was elected to the society’s executive and became the secretary of the Transvaal Rugby Union. In 1993 he became the secretary of the referees’ society – a highly efficient man with a great knowledge of meeting procedures.

In 1996 he was appointed by the Golden Lions as the referee manager and the task evolved over the years to include the union’s disciplinary matters, the old players and the start of gathering archive materials.

Pappas played a big part in coordinating the referees for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the Students World Cup the following year and the 2002 u/21 World Championship. He was the referees’ manager for the Confederation of African Rugby, presenting training courses in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia.

Vice-chairman of the Pumas Rugby Referee’s Society, Oubaas Coetzer thanked Pappas for sharing his knowledge. “He is a professional. We are very honoured to learn from someone like Gabriel. His knowledge is unbelievable and we are looking forward to working with him this year.”

Manager of the South African Rugby Union Academy squad, Eugene Daniels was also part of
the camp.