Smart referees find BokSmart smart

BokSmart, SA Rugby’s National Rugby Safety Programme , is an initiative aimed at educating people for after rugby.

Recently 37 Cape referees recently became the first match officials to be accredited to BokSmart. Members of the Western Province Referees’ Society attended the first independently hosted BokSmart training workshop at the Goudini Spa Resort near Worcester.

 Western Province Referees’ Society Manager Ben Theron said: “I think this was the best training workshop our referees have ever attended.

“Everyone who attended the course was excited and keen to learn more about BokSmart. I think this is something that all unions should offer their match officials. We would all like to see a safer game and it is important that referees and match officials participate in the BokSmart programme.”   

The aims and objectives of BokSmart are to reduce the number of serious and catastrophic head, neck and spinal injuries associated with the game. 

The goal is to provide the rugby community with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure that safety and best practice principles are paramount in all aspects of the game. The programme will be rolled out to all the provinces over a period of 18 months.

BokSmart Project Manager Wayne Viljoen said: “I personally think it’s fantastic that the Western Province Referees’ Society have bought into the BokSmart concept and have taken it upon themselves to promote the concept of this programme in conjunction with the Western Province Rugby Union.

“I hope and trust that all 14 unions will follow suit in promoting rugby safety with the same passion and excitement as Western Province has done. I’d also like to thank Absa for their invaluable contribution towards the programme.”

The overall rating of the BokSmart workshop by the participants who attended the training out of a maximum scoring of five was 4,7.