PROFILE: Hard work pays off for referee
Andre always put his hand up and impressed out on the park
DURING the rugby season, Coastal Auto Electrical owner Andre Nel loves nothing more than exchanging his overalls for his rugby refereeing gear over the weekends.
The 40-year-old Richards Bay auto electrician passed his KZN development panel fitness test in October and has been invited to attend the three-day KZN referee camp in Durban in March next year.
‘This is awesome news for the Zululand Rugby Referees Sub-Union, as we currently have one referee on the panel and next year there will be four local sides competing in the Premier League,’ said current KZN panel referee and recruitment officer, Magnus Oosthuizen.
Nel played rugby throughout his school career and social rugby for the Richards Bay Rugby Club before hanging up his boots in 1996. Oosthuizen roped Nel into the referee circle after discovering a diamond in the rough.
‘I had to first pass the sub-union’s fitness and law exams before being handed the whistle to officiate in local school games,’ said Nel.
After one season at school level, Nel progressed to refereeing third and fourth league club rugby games up until this season.
Award
Andre always put his hand up and impressed out on the park.
He was awarded the Zululand Rugby Referee Sub-Union Assistant Referee of the Year award in 2013 and the Most Improved Referee award in 2014,’ said Oosthuizen.
Nel was nominated by the subunion to attend a fitness and law test in October to see if he could qualify for the KZN development panel.
He passed the law exam (minimum 75%) and nailed the yo-yo test (level 16.5) to progress to next year’s KZN referee camp.
‘I was super excited and proud of myself when receiving the great news, which sparked a fire in me to make a lifestyle change to meet my goals,’ said Nel.
Since the test in October, Nel changed his eating plan and exercise regime and lost 10kg.
He exercises four times a week for one hour at uMhlathuze Bootcamps, completes 5km parkrun’s every Saturday at the Zululand Multi Sports Club and competes in all the local running races.
Making the panel would not only get two Zululand Sub-Union referees on the KZN Panel, but would help a lot in terms of managing the Richards Bay Rugby Club and Rhinos teams in the Premier League next season.
‘As a union we are super proud of what Andre has achieved thus far, and hold thumbs that he will go all the way.
It’s great to see that he never gave up and progressed so nicely within the system,’ said Oosthuizen.
Nel is a no-nonsense referee, no doubt the result of his boxing career, having fought at the SA boxing championships and being a KZN boxing champ back in high school.
‘When I eventually decide to retire from the game completely, I would love to give back to the youngsters and help other aspiring referees. ‘I would also like to thank my wife Jacqui.
I would not have achieved anything without her constant love and support,’ said Nel.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
