page revision date :
Richard’s on the look-out at top rugby matches
Richard Hughes has been a member of the Pembrokeshire Rugby Referees Society for a number of years and has recently retired from blowing the whistle – but has taken on an exciting new role as a Citing Officer with the Welsh Rugby Union, where he will attend top matches and make sure that there is no skulduggery from the players by utilising the hi-tech world of the television cameras.
He was involved in the excitement of the Heineken European Cup for a number of years as a touch judge, or ‘referee’s assistant’, as they are now known, but decided that it was time to hang up his whistle for good at the age of 50 because the game has become so fast that fitness is more and more vital for referees and he ached for quite a well after some matches.
Fresh start – and a new rugby career
He started last campaign in his new role, however, when he was invited to become a citing officer, where he could put his wealth of experience to good effect and accepted another challenge within the remit of the oval ball game. He had to attend a course at Heathrow where there were delegates from all over Europe and a part of the course was to be shown 30 different incidents on DVD from actual games where they were asked if any referral would be necessary after the match. Such is the complexity of the rule that it is interesting to note that on only two occasions out of 30 was there 100% agreement – and Richard learnt a lot about the new role in an intensive few days.
During matches he has to make a note of any incident he spots or where there is a crowd reaction and then after the game he has access to all camera angles, takes away a DVD of the game and has 50 hours from the start of the match to see if there is a need to name anyone guilty of a misdemeanour for the WRU Disciplinary Committee to review and make the final decision. Clubs also have 24 hours to contact him if they feel something needs looking at.
First visit to Rodney Parade
At the end of last season he was given the chance to be citing officer at the Dragons versus Connaught match and was made very welcome at Rodney Parade by David Watkins and then Jim McCreadie, the team manager from the Dragons. He was provided with a three-course meal and sat in the stand, with access to all of the film afterwards and a DVD of the match.
His matches to start this season include the Blues against the Scarlets and the Scarlets at home to Munster so there is plenty for Richard to do in his onerous new role.
Rugby start at the deep end
Richard lives at Rhos, near Llandyssul, but has been a member of the Pembrokeshire Society of Rugby Union Referees for a number of years, says they are ‘ great bunch of lads’ and was chairman at one stage. He had started his involvement in rugby as a No 8 in Aberystwyth University and also played for the town’s club side before damaging a shoulder and being advised it would be unwise for him to return as a player – so he took up refereeing.
“We were thrown in at the deep end, then,” says Richard with a chuckle, “and I was given a whistle by Peter Rees who, along with Gwyn Evans, were my early mentors in the game. I borrowed a ref’s kit and my first match was Aber University against Carmarthen Quins in an end of season friendly. It went OK and I can also vividly recall my first game in the district because it was between Llanidloes Seconds against Tref y Clawdd 3rds (Knighton) and we had to get a herd of Welsh Black cattle off the pitch before we could start”
Worst match – and getting lost looking for Garndiffaeth!
Ask Richard about his worst match and he has no doubt about that tussle,
“It was between Llanwrtyd Wells and Llandrindod Wells about four years later. It was evident from the outset that there was trouble brewing and I could have done with eyes in the back of my head. It was the only time in my refereeing career that I ever asked myself why on earth I was being a ref!”
He also has an interesting story to tell about his first match on the WRU list, between Garndiffaeth and Cardiff Athletic, who had Alan Phillips and Mike Hall returning from injury:
“I left in plenty of time but couldn’t find Garndiffaeth so in desperation I stopped in a bus depot and asked a bus driver – who promptly asked his passengers to wait in the depot as he drove the short distance to the ground, with me following in my car, and then returned to pick them up! I have never had the chance to thank him but he must have been a laid-back character indeed!”
He attended his first reffing course at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff where Winston Jones and Clive Norling gave plenty of good advice – and he was soon heavily involved all over Wales as he learned his trade.
Other sports
Richard also played cricket in Aberystwyth, where he batted and bowled for the college team, and he has started out in golf at the Cwmrhydneuadd Golf Club near Llangrannog. He is currently on a handicap of 25 but is eager to reduce his handicap – and reckons all he needs is a little more time to practice!
Memorable moments
He started out in the district matches and eventually finished at level six, which allowed him to officiate at Premier League games. He had four seasons at that level, including two Swansea versus Llanelli matches at St Helens.
The undoubted highlight of his career as he progressed up the pyramid was undoubtedly his participation as assistant referee in the Heineken Cup all around Italy, Ireland, Scotland, England and France, plus a number of internationals.
“In the Heineken Cup my first trip was for the Perpignan versus Newcastle match, where the crowd was so volatile that ref Derek Bevan, Huw Watkins and I stayed in the dressing room for an hour afterwards – and the home team had won! I would nominate Biarritz as a special place to visit – especially when the sun is shining.
Richard reffed at several under games at international level and also had the whistle for the Scotland Ladies against their Irish counterparts immediately after a full men’s international between the countries and in front of a big crowd. He was also assistant referee for the Portugal versus Morocco, and Belgium against Malta, working with top refs Nigel Owens and Tim Hayes.
So what of the future for Richard Hughes?
“At the moment I enjoy my work with Bibby’s and I am looking forward to my new role in rugby. I have been very lucky to build lots of rugby friendships over the years, especially in Pembrokeshire, which I will make sure I keep up. I will miss the anticipation of match days as a referee but my new role as a citing officer will keep me heavily involved and mean some travel but I don’t mind that because I’m ready for the challenge of a new involvement in the game.”
PembrokeshireSport.co.uk can only say, having seen Richard referee on many occasion, that if he can maintain his undoubted enthusiasm for rugby then the WRU have made a good move in appointing him to his new role in rugby!
| 
