Mike McNamara notched up his 200th game as a referee when College Old Boys played Paraparaumu last weekend.
Mike McNamara notched up his 200th game as a referee when College Old Boys played Paraparaumu last weekend.
Rugby referee Mike McNamara will bring up his 201st senior game when Rahui play College Old Boys in the Horowhenua-Kāpiti senior club rugby semifinal at Ōtaki Domain tomorrow.
He was the most experienced whistle blower within the union ranks, having started his career in 2002.
HKRU Referees Association acknowledged McNaramra's contribution to the game with a certificate - and by giving a bunch of flowers to his wife Kay.
Association president Stu Taylforth said the flowers to Mrs McNamara were symbolic of the support he has had from his family in giving up his weekends.
"It's a huge thing. It's a community service," he said.
"The fact he has been able to do it for so long is because of preparation and perseverance. He hits the gym, and I think that's the reason he stays injury free."
"He's a cool, calm head and doesn't get flustered. He doesn't lose sleep over things and does the job with integrity and professionalism."
McNamara's most memorable match was a club rugby final between Paraparaumu and Waikanae in 2010. The match was drawn and went into extra time, only for a player to break a leg and require urgent medical attention.
The game, which kicked off at 2.45pm, was stopped as an ambulance was called. By the time the final whistle blew it was nearly 6pm.
There was one injury though. He got sandwiched between two players when Manawatū played Horowhenua Samoa, breaking his thumb.
He played at second five-eight for Kāpiti College as a schoolboy, and in his first ever senior match as a referee, he had no choice but to send a player from the field.
"He punched an opposition player right in front of me," he said.
Mike McNamara notched up his 200th game as a referee when College Old Boys played Paraparaumu last weekend.
McNamara, 60, said it was important to stay abreast of rule changes as the game evolved, to have supreme confidence in every decision. It bemused him to hear criticism from those that were spouting old law.
Interestingly, McNamara's son Dale played for Paraparaumu at second five-eight in his 200th game as referee, but with true professionalism he was treated like any other player.
"I penalised him. You can't argue with the ref," he said.
While his service was to club rugby, he had managed to be on the referee team for Super Rugby warm-up games, and was an in-goal judge at a Wellington Sevens Tournament.
He said he would continue refereeing as long as he was able.
"I'll keep going as long as the body lets me ... then I might look at coaching referees," he said.
He was excited about tomorrow's match. Watching over a club rugby semifinal was a bonus of the job for McNamara, who enjoyed the knock-out games for their intensity.
"They are intense affairs. That's why you do what you do. For one team, their season will be over. Neither team will leave anything on the field, that's for sure," he said.
The other semifinal is between Paraparaumu and Shannon at Paraparaumu Domain.
Draw: Senior Competition: Semifinal 1: Paraparaumu v Shannon Prems, Paraparaumu Domain, 2.45pm. Referee: Sam Thompson. AR: Greg McCardle/Krishan Ambawatte. Semifinal 2: Rahui v COB Prems, Otaki Domain, 2.45pm. Referee: Mike McNamara. AR: Ina Areai/Sam Mills Senior Reserves: Semifinal 1: Athletic v Wanderers, Playford Park 1, 1pm. Referee: Randal Peni. AR: Connor Booker/Ross Dornan Semifinal 2: COB v Paraparaumu Snr Res, Levin Domain, 1pm. Referee: Sam Taylor. AR: Lindsay Walker/Mike Williams College Rugby: Waiopehu Youth XV v PNBHS Colts B, Waiopehu College, 9.30am. Referee: Mike Williams. Kapiti v Naenae Premier 2, Kapiti 1, 2.30pm. Referee: Jim McKay Otaki Te Rahui v Well Coll Black U15, Otaki Domain 1, 11.30am. Referee: Sam Mills. Waiopehu 1st XV v PNBHS 2nd XV, Playford Park, 2.45pm. Referee: Vaughan Guiton.
