Local referees did the honours on Day 1 at Koggala
View(s):The Carlton Super Sevens reflected over the skies near the beach of Koggala the Southern tourist resort. Unrated Western Warriors took honours in the first leg and will look to take the second leg of the tournament as Carlton 7s shines over the lights of Racecourse 
ground this week. George Simpkin who was responsible for the format and the thinking behind Carlton 7s was present in Galle and was seen directing operation in the first of the International Leg. No stranger to rugby, George was in the thick of action moving with the kings of international Rugby and the local talent. He was happy to see the local players fitting comfortably with the stars and performing at their best and quipped ‘these boys are great’.
I noticed the national selectors moving around looking for men who would wear the national jersey in the
Simpkin in action at Koggala
Asian Sevens circuit next week. They got the opportunity of seeing the local players in action against some great names and were able to gauge the potential. The qualm if any they would have is in deciding some key positions as some of them who are contenders were warming the bench of the better teams that also had some good foreign players to fill these slots.
In a game played for high stakes and entertainment, to win requires a full complement of players that include the bench with five replacements being allowed. From that point a team would get the best combination and be ready for action. The selection process has to change with times with a continuous stock taking in place.
Take a look at the players during the season which had Club Sevens, Mercantile and two Carlton local Sevens. Get the pool into camp to be ready for the Asian Circuit and drop depending on performance. Carlton 7s is bonus to see the pool players take on the big lads. Some not being the first choice in a franchise team does not matter as they are still the best in the country.
It was reported and commented in this column that there will be no local referees at the International leg played in Galle. Due to a travel problem three referees did not arrive in time for the tournament on first day and one other being indisposed the local referees had to do the honours on Day 1. Due to the lack of numbers the local had to referee as well as run as Assistant Referees on the first day whereas normally in a Sevens tournament the referees will only referee. Despite the heavy schedule and not been prepared, the referees performed their task.
The organisers were happy but not the coaches and managers who as usual kept complaining. On the second day the foreign referees were on the field and were also subjected to criticism with coaches at times walking up to them. To these referees who come from a background where this culture is frowned upon post match abuse and it looked to be a risk to get on the field. For the locals it was as though to say these coaches too question after a match and why shouldn’t we? The real situation in their home country is different and they only do it here as they can get away with it.
To the English Referee the word and its genesis which has a few more explanations would have been familiar and heard of probably in a bar and not when he leaves a playing area in those parts of the world. The parting comment was no wonder you have to get down referees.
I also had an opportunity to listen to a local coach mimicking the actions of a junior coach after winning a match and it was hilarious. This was a matter to laugh at that time but thinking again I felt sorry for the game as this is not what should be.
Again I thought why it should not be as the baggage boys need an exit for their frustration and it can be at the expense of anybody. The Carlton Sevens has been on show for 5 years and teams have been coached by foreigners helped by the local boys. How come none has moved up the ladder to be given in charge of a franchise team? I saw only one team that had only a local coach and that too I understand was because of a lack of spending money. They however finished over two other teams that did have expert coaches.
Vimal Perera is a former player, referee and coach and a Referees’ Educator of the IRB (International
Rugby Board).