Another top referee changes career
Cupido goes tlo TJ
Michael Cupido, lone of South Africa’s top-tanked referees, is to move from the middle of the field to its edges, changing from refereeing at the top level to becoming a specialist touch judge, in keeping with the restructuring plans for South African referees.
Cupido has been on provincial panels in South Africa since 2001 and is a referees’ development officer with the Golden Lions referees, a post he has held since 2001. He remains a develo0pment officer but has opted to cease refereeing at the top level in order to be a touch judge. He emphasises that the decision was entirely his.
Cupido’s decision follows the decision of Shaun Veldsman and Johann Meuwesen to cease active refereeing to become specialized television match officials. This change of structure is in keeping with the International Rugby Board’s restructuring of referees.
André Watson, the former test referee and current manager of South African referees found bitter-sweet in the decision: “Michael has served South African referees with distinction for several years and had a great season as a referee in the Vodacom Cup this year.
“It is sad to lose a referee of his calibre but on the other hand exciting to know that he will continue to contribute in other ways.
“He will be a part of the specialised touch judges panel to be introduced in 2007.”
Michael Johann Cupido was born in Cape Town on 13 May 1965. The family moved to Beaufort West when he was 11 and he played rugby as a scrumhalf for his school (Bastiaanse) and for South Western Districts of the SA Rugby Football Federation.
After school he first set out to be a teacher and then joined the police force, being transferred to the Witwatersrand. He had given up playing with a severe wrist injury and was refereeing a rugby match when Watson saw him and persuaded him to join the Golden Falcons Referees. In need of a change he later moved to the Golden Lions.
Cupido’s provincial career started in 2001, just two years after he started refereeing. The highlights for him were refereeing the Blue Bulls against Western Province in the Vodacom Cup at Loftus Versfeld in 2006 and refereeing at the Cobra Tens in Malaysia. He has been a touch judge in two tests – one in Namibia and one in Madagascar.
Cupido pays tribute to Watson and Gabriel Pappas, the Golden Lions’ referees manager, for the success of his career.
Pappas is excited about his referee’s move. “It will extend the shelf life of our referees. Michael will carry on refereeing first league rugby for another five years at least and will be able to impart his knowledge and experience to young referees.”
Cupido himself said: “Some people think I am mad to make the switch but there is a time to end and a time to change. I just want to thank Gabriel for the help he has given me in my career and in making this decision.”