I have been involved with rugby since about the age of 10. I remember going to my first every game at Kingsholm Stadium on the 27th December 2003, Gloucester were playing Harlequins and Robert Todd scored the winning try that day. From that moment I was hooked to rugby.
I started my playing career at Newent Community School where I played Number 8 and Blindside Flanker for a couple of games, of which I enjoyed the physicality. I then went on to find a club to join where I could play week in week out, this is when I found Widden Old Boys U13’s. I played first game for them a week after joining against a team in Bristol where I started at number 8. It was a really muddy occasion but a very enjoyable game. A week later my coach came to me and asked if I would mind giving Second Row a try. I did and that is where I was positioned for 3 tough but great years. Second Row was my main position, but I did have a try at Openside Flanker, Loose head prop and every position in the backline except Fly-Half.
When I was 16, I heard a rumour that a number of players from another team would be joining us and I immediately thought that this would factor in me playing so I decided to focus my energy in other aspect of Rugby now, this is when I took up coaching and became the head coach of an U8’S team. My coaching career took me all across the country and I got to meet some of the greatest names in rugby Union from both a coaching and official background. A fond memory I hold was being invited to Nottingham Trent university to be involved in the very first RFU young Leaders Camp 2010. Not only did I take a lot from the three days away, but my team also won the series (CMON Ireland). After this I went on with my team up to the age of U12’s where in the middle of that season it was decided that we would disband and go our separate ways.
After U’12, I was in my third year of University and had recently completed my level 2 coaching badge which I felt was a huge achievement. On top of that, I had been given the opportunity to intern and coach the Acorns Development college squad. I was the first at this Internship and felt that I had learnt a lot from the staff at Hartpury, not only ideas from the way that they coach, but also I learnt a lot about myself and how I can become better.
After University I spent time with youth sides at Old Richians and Matson before deciding that I needed to reassess my outlook on things and hung my boots from coaching to take up the whistle. I have now been a referee for 2 ½ seasons and have not look back from game 1. Sadly, that game has to go on record as being my worst as I abandoned it 5 minutes into the second half due to a 30-man scuffle in the middle of the pitch. Since then I have learnt so much from the committee and assessors at Gloucester and District society.
My progression through the ranks has meant that I have been experience some of the greatest aspects of our sport not only in Gloucestershire, but in different parts of the country too. I am exceptionally proud that I was able to be the Assistant Referee for a Combination Cup game at Kingsholm stadium where I watched my first ever game.
I aim to continue refereeing for Gloucestershire and do my best here so that I am able to go further afield when the time is right but also when I know that my body and mind have the capabilities facilitate a competitive game.
