Sport

Money could help with our rugby referee shortage

05:45 am on 28 November 2023

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Rugby Referees haven't exactly been in the news for good reasons recently, after an over officiated Rugby World Cup left many fans pulling their hair out. But at the less publicised grassroots level, the fight to attract new referees to the sport has been ongoing, with 33 percent drop over the last 17 years. Concerned about the situation, New Zealand Rugby comissioned AUT student and club rugby referee Javeed Ali to conduct a PHD on the matter. The findings show that the days of voluntary refereeing may soon be over, with up and comers keen on remuneration for their time. Leonard Powell with the story