Ref teaches players and himself
2010-05-27
Adam Wakefield
TEACHERS play a vital role in a child’s early life, ushering their pupils into a world of brand-new knowledge and referees play the same type of role, making sure players stick to the rules of the game.
Francois Veldsman, Boland’s top rugby referee, knows quite a bit about both.
In the classroom, Francois Veldsman’s fortes are natural science and life orientation. But it’s the management skills he gains working with his pupils that he takes onto the rugby field when he referees. “I’m also a coach, so I now know what it feels like to be on the other side of the sidelines.” Ranked sixth on the South Africa’s provincial referee panel, Paarl Gymnasium teacher Francois is one of the top 20 rugby referees in South Africa. He was introduced to refereeing by Boland referee manager Ivan Pekeur, and has now been a member of the Boland Rugby Referees Society for ten years. Francois enjoys refereeing, because of “the adrenaline rush you get when going onto the field. Also, just being part of the game that is ‘played in heaven’, as they say.” Francois’ standout moments with the whistle include his Test debut in 2008 when he replaced Willie Roos, who picked up an injury when Japan clashed with Tonga; refereeing the 2007 Vodacom Cup final; travelling to Malaysia for the 2008 Cobra 10s; and being appointed to control a Craven Week final. But it hasn’t all been guts and glory – Francois hangs his head in embarrassment when he recalls how he arrived to officiate a match, only to discover that he’d forgotten his boots. Fortunately, he was able to borrow a pair from one of the players. Quips Francois, “It was a perfect fit.” He has travelled across the country as a referee, but feels most comfortable “at any place near the sea”, and particularly Hartenbos, where he and his wife have spent several December holidays. And when away from teaching and refereeing, Francois enjoys unwinding with a round of golf with his brother and friends. If you’re interested in becoming a referee, sms ‘referee’ to 082-328-4878 or log onto www.sareferees.co.za and scroll down to the online sign-up form.
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