More women on the whistle

Not just a boys’ game . . . NZ Rugby women’s referee development officer Maggie Cogger-Orr controlling the season-opening premier match between YMP and OBM at the Oval on Saturday. An experienced player and referee in Canada and New Zealand, she encourages prospective match officials, male and female, to be “willing to give it a go”. Pictures by Paul Rickard

The drive to get more referees into rugby is on.

The visit to Gisborne of New Zealand Rugby women’s referee development officer Maggie Cogger-Orr at the weekend reinforced that point.

Auckland-based Canadian Cogger-Orr, 32, achieved a lot in three days. She chatted with a physical education class at Gisborne Girls’ High School on Friday morning, took in the second 15 and first 15 games between Gisborne Boys’ High School and Kelston BHS, and on Saturday controlled the Tiny White Opening Day clash between OBM and YMP.

On Sunday, Cogger-Orr’s last engagement was a refereeing course at Waikanae Surf Club.

“Women have been in — and are in — the rugby community for their entire lives.

“They have a great deal of rugby knowledge and this is another way for them to be on the field, if they want to be.

“We had a 28 percent increase in numbers last year and had more than 100 registered women referees in 2022.

“While the biggest increase was in the NPC unions, per capita in the Heartland provinces from a participation point of view, numbers are up with new competitions and increased interest.

“Refereeing is another option for girls and women to provide involvement and contribute to the game and community. World Rugby and New Zealand Rugby want women to know that there are opportunities and  that a pathway exists to a high-performance level and potentially a career.”

Cogger-Orr controlled Kelston v Sacred Heart College two years ago and Poverty Bay v Thames Valley at Te Aroha in the Heartland Championship last season. She knows who does what and has the respect of the players.

YMP captain hooker Shayde Skudder, who played for the Bay in their seven-point loss at Boyd Park, said: “Maggie did a good job here on Saturday. She understands the players and what they’re trying to do. Bearing in mind too that there are a number of new rules, she explained herself well and also let the game flow.”

Of the OBM-YMP clash, Cogger-Orr said: “From what I was told could happen, how the game might unfold, 15-14 to OBM was an unexpected halftime score. It was refreshing to be in the middle of a game in which the players played what was in front of them, as opposed to just running set patterns and maps”.

The players were not  afraid to try things, she said.

As for GBHS first 15 v Kelston: “I loved Gisborne’s passion and bravery — they kept fighting, though Kelston won 27-15.

“Terry Reeves and his assistant referee for that match, Joel Pearse, asked good questions. They’re keen to learn.”

“Between the refs and Poverty Bay Rugby staff, I hope the community realise that they are lucky to have people who are open to learning and listening for the benefit of the players and the game here.”

The Toronto native played hooker and in the back row at both Ashbury College and McMaster University. Following her rehabilitation from a knee injury, she took up the whistle for $50 a game.

Cogger-Orr completed her teaching diploma at the University of Canterbury in 2014, played for the University, and for the College Rifles club while teaching at Epsom Girls’ Grammar School.

The year after Rifles’ Coleman Shield triumph in 2016, she began refereeing regularly and was on Auckland and New Zealand rugby’s radar.

On confidence for aspiring officials, Cogger-Orr says: “You’ve got to fake it a little until you make it, with a willingness to give it a go.

“Every time we referee we make mistakes but, in the Heartland unions, I think there’s an old-fashioned courtesy.

“Woman or not, by the end of the game, in the players’ eyes you want to be just another referee.”