I haven't gone through all the pages ion thread but would like to make a few points:
If you had - I think you would have found a fair few in favour of what you did. Even those who perhaps put a slight negative slant on things... In fact people have been very positive about most aspects - your commentary, your balls to do it, and so on.
1. My intention was never to use this as a stunt; I don;t need to do things that way; anyone who knows me would not have even suggested this.
Some of the referees on here are very cynical. Best way to prove them wrong is for you to be seen more regularly out on the field - the mid week games in and around London are some of the best. (obviously once recovered)
2. I realise some people are unhappy about the resources being devoted to me but referees in general got their cause highlighted.
Which is just jealousy - we all would love that sort of resource thrown at us when we started, or even now. We just wanted to highlight the "difference" our first experience with the whsitle was!
3. My injury was a bad tear and when it heals I will ask for games to referee.
Fantastic and good luck with the recvoery - injuries are a bitch. I suggest that this time you keep it quiet. Not because we don't want to know, but I suggest that the teams shouldn't know, because you want to ref a proper team for your current ability as a ref.
5. I don;t see why even on here it is not acceptable to criticise fellow referees - what makes anyone exempt from this provided the criticism is accurate and not mere abuse.
This is a sad point - but the refs like to have a point where they can bring up their own errors, mistakes, issues. They want it private, so that when they rock up at some rugby club, they don't get - oh so you admit you f*cked up last time, and were sh!t then. The point is to discuss stuff, and to open ones self up to critiscm and assistance, while reducing the chance of it feeding back into the players and coaches, so enabling the referee to still have the respect of teh players when they arrive at the ground.
If you don't want to be a part of it, that's your call, but many on here have learnt from things that many on here wouldn't say in public (but would and have said to the persons face), but would keep behind closed doors. For me over here in Switzerland where I have virtually no contact with other refs, it's a lifeline.
I hope as you continue to ref, you realise that much of what is said here, while maybe not relevant to the top level, is highly relevant to levels most people on this board ref at - where management and coaching is more important than being a policeman. and perhaps you will find some of it useful.
Keep on the good work, and keep reffing.
