Tell us a little about yourself: age, place of birth, current occupation.

—38, Bloemfontein South Africa, Financial Planner/CEO/Owner of a Financial Educational Company / Author of Risk Free Retirement Book

What is you background as a rugby player?

—I played my first game at age 6 and played to age 31 – A total of 25 years and I just could not play like I used to… HA .. HA ..

Why did you decide to become a referee?

—I started coaching at age 31 and I went thru all the clinics and became the best I could be in Florida as a coach but I missed being on the field… Ha .. Ha .. I became a referee because I wanted to be on the field and being a referee you are on the field….

Did you have some kind of mentor?

—Gerry Fitzgerald, Terry Day was always there for me and supported me all the way. The MAN was Martin Gardner. He got me into playing with Fort Lauderdale at age 21 and then encouraged me to get on the field as a referee…

Do you remember your first game as a referee? How did it go? Any funny or special memory?

—? I remember my first game well. It was different. I noticed I was the boss and not the player that always looked at the boss as boss. It went.. Great .. I had no clue what I was doing..

What was the most memorable screw up?

—I kept running into players thinking I was a player and ran to a breakdown wanting to get in on it. They all kept sorry ‘’SIR’’ and I thought wow I was important..

Which is the one game you most remember of your career?

—Back in South Africa this year. A high school game. I have never experienced the pace of young men that fast. I was almost dead and the game was at 8am on a cold winters morning. It was not Florida.

How well do players and coaches in Florida know the laws of the game?

—Well: mixed feelings. I feel generally no one sit before bed time and study a law book. I never dead. My answer would be as well as they think they know the laws.. Ha.. Ha..

What is your opinion in general of the attitude of players towards the referees in Florida?

—Very good and what there is to understand is that we as Referees LOVE the game. We come out to have fun and we honor the game just like the players.

As a referee, have you made more friends or foes?

—Friends by far… After a game there has always been a rich history with Rugby that we ‘’ Complete “ and we have fun and smile. What happened on the field stays on the field...

Does being able to watch a game on video help you improve your skills?

—YES – For sure. With the internet you can up your game by watching Videos.

What are the most rewardings aspects of being a referee? And the least?

—“I get to be on the field and participate while I can”. No least.

If you have had the opportunity to ref a match oversees, how was that experience?

—Wow. Rugby is growing fast in the USA. It is our job to promote Rugby and my experience has been awesome. No matter where you are in the world. You and I are Rugby Brothers.

What would you tell a player to encourage him becoming a referee?

—Why Wait?

Any final thoughts or comments about being a rugby referee?

—If you are ready to take action and you are not the best of the best player. SWING out and do a Referee course. Come out and Assistant Referee a game.. TRY it instead of scoring TRY… I so appreciate and LOVE Rugby. Thank you for having me be of service to the game I love so much and keep rucking… Rocco