Refs for Junior Trophy
The International Rugby Board has announced the panel of eight up-and-coming match officials for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2009 in Kenya.
The tournament takes place from 21 April to 3 May. The teams taking part are Chile, Cook Islands, Georgia, Jamaica, Korea, Namibia, Romania, Uruguay.
The IRB have appointed four referees and four referees' assistants. Of the eight appointed seven are from Africa. The eighth is Francisco Pastrana from Argentina.
Referees: Constant Cap (Kenya), Francisco Pastrana (Argentina), Sindile Mayende (South Africa), Heikel Bahroun (Tunisia)
Assistant Referees: Reuben Rossouw (South Africa), Archie Sehlako (South Africa), Johnbosco Muamba (Kenya), Victor Lié Andriavelomana (Madagascar)
IRB Selector/Performance Reviewer Tappe Henning (South Africa)
The IRB's manager of referees, Paddy O'Brien said: “Africa is a region of significant growth for Rugby. Playing numbers are on the rise across all territories for men, women and children and the same can be said for those who want to become match officials.
“Over the past couple of years the IRB has run a Talent Identification Programme at Stellenbosch University in South Africa dedicated to developing talented up-and-coming coaches and referees from 11 African countries. It has proven to be extremely successful and it is appropriate that two of the referees will step up to officiate at the Trophy in Kenya next year.”
“Our aim for the tournament is to provide these officials with a competitive platform from which to develop. The mix of exposure to an international tournament of great intensity and access to the IRB’s Refereeing support infrastructure will provide the platform for the eight individuals to climb the next step on the ladder to future IRB selection,” added O'Brien.
A key objective of the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy is development and legacy and the tournament will incorporate a specific programme aimed at fostering the Game at all levels for men and women, both in Kenya and the wider African Rugby community.