Refereeing is not just a man’s world

HIGHVELD – Although Kim Smit hung up her referee rugby boots and whistle a couple of years ago, her love for the game continues.

Smit has been a mother on the side of the field supporting her two boys’ interest in rugby from primary school days.

“This is where the love for the game began for me,” said Smit.

One day while watching a game on the TV with friends, Smit was “chirping” the referee (who obviously could not hear a word she was saying) about what he was doing wrong.

Smit’s friend, who was an active referee at that time, challenged her to take up refereeing as she had seemed to know a lot.

“I took up the challenge right there and then and said: ‘Well, I’m sure I could do a better job than what these guys were doing,” Smit said laughing.

She joined the Mpumalanga Rugby Refereeing Association in 2001 and refereed for them for about two years.

She was contacted by the Lions and offered a position in their rugby referee union.

“It seemed like the best career move at the time and turned out that it was. This is where I earned my Springbok colours and they were very supportive.”

She had spent 10 years with the Lions.

Being a woman in a male-dominated sport never made any difference to Smit.

“I have four brothers and two sons. I knew the environment.”

“If you go into this game thinking: I am a woman and I am lesser than the men, then you are in big trouble,” said Smit.

“You need to have a very strong mindset to stand your ground.

“I never went onto the field thinking I am a woman referee. I went onto the field thinking I am a referee and I am going to do the best job I possibly can.”

Although women’s rugby is still a little behind in South Africa than in other countries, there has been steady growth over the last couple of years.

“Countries like Canada begin playing rugby at U/15 level, and the girls even begin practising at the age of five years. South African girls only begin to play rugby after school. That makes a huge difference.”

Smit attended the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Canada in 2006 as referee and touch judge.

According to Smit, this was the first participation of a South African women’s rugby team at a world cup.

“There are a lot of opportunities that have since opened, such as the women’s six-nation and the Olympics.

Smit said training in women’s rugby is no different to the men.

“You have to eat right, you have to do speed and endurance training and also know the laws. There is nothing different.”

Throughout her refereeing career, she had the chance to meet a lot of amazing and interesting people.

After falling ill and being diagnosed with endometriosis, Smit decided to retire from refereeing in 2010.

“It was tough for me at that time because I was at the peak of my refereeing career and I felt that I had so much more to offer the game.”

After fully recovering from her illness, later in 2011 she was contacted by SARU and asked if she would return as a referee coach.

It was a huge honour for me and I then had the chance to give back to the game and work with some pretty awesome guys, coaching and helping them to grow and ultimately make SARU contender panels. It is a very rewarding sport to be part of,” said Smit.

Here she continued until 2016.

She has since opened her business Dezines Creative Thinking, which focuses on social media marketing and brand photography, as well as being the general manager at Bethal Signs.

“I had spent a lot of time away from my family and it was now time for me to support my sons in their rugby careers and life in general. I was privileged enough to tour South Africa and countries like the USA and Canada through my rugby career and felt that I have done my part,” said Smit.

Being the only woman in a male-dominated home at that time, Smit could not have pursued her refereeing career if it was not for the support of her husband and family.

“You can’t be in any rugby career without the support of your partner,” said Smit.

She said it takes a lot of dedication, training and travelling to pursue such a career.

“At the time that I was on the SARU panels, I think was the only women’s referee to have children, it was a huge sacrifice.”

Smit’s husband, Jan had taken on the “motherly” duties for her to pursue her dream.

Today the couple’s are avid rugby players. Dillon (28) plays scrum-half for the Lions and Dalton (24) also plays scrum-half for the Sasol Digi Mag Rugby Club’s first team.

“We are a passionate rugby family, we can talk rugby any day of the week,” Smit laughed. Although number nine is their number, Smit and her family have a huge love for motorcycles as well.

“We make time for fun and explore beautiful places on the bikes as a family.

“We love spending time with our boys and daughter-in-law. If we don’t watch rugby, we ride. And my husband is the leader of the pack,” said a laughing Smit.