Young Damian blows up a storm
Talented Richards Bay schoolboy referee heading for the big league.
GIFTED people are born with the proverbial silver spoon in the mouth, but in the case of up-and-coming Richards Bay schoolboy rugby player and referee Damian Varney (18), it was rather coming into the world with a silver whistle in the mouth.
On Friday, before he headed off to the Glenwood training camp where he will be officiating in the Glenwood and Afrikaans Hoër match, Damian spoke to the Zululand Observer about his passion for rugby and dreams of becoming a KZN and SARA referee.
‘Since I was a little kid, I would play with my dad’s whistle and dress up in his kit.
‘It is all I ever wanted to do – this is my calling,’ he says.
Damian’s displays unusual maturity for his age.
The Grade 12 first team rugby player, second team captain and prefect at Richards Bay High School, says his philosophy is to always stay humble.
‘When you get bigger than the game, you will fall.’
Tremendous physical and emotional demands come with the territory, with players, coaches and spectators in the mix.
‘I get nervous before each game, but once the whistle blows, I zone in on the task.’
He has been a member of the Zululand Referees Society since 2011 when he was chosen Rookie of the Year, followed by Best Junior in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
He was also elected to shadow referee in the Sharks vs Reds Super Rugby match last year.
Achievements
Damian has officiated in numerous top tier school matches and was also selected to referee KZN U19 club matches.
Earlier this month, he completed a 3rd Division match.
‘I have incredible mentorship support from Marius Jonker (former international referee) and my father Chris, a professional referee and Chairman of the Zululand Referees Society.
Coaching also came from KZN Referees Manager Burton Hufkie.
Further evidence of his top class rating is the fact that Damian recorded 11.4 on the bleep test conducted by the KZN Training Committee, higher than the 11.1 needed to qualify as a KZN panel referee.
His current ranking category is Level B, calculated by using the law exam, fitness and assessment results.
Level B refs are qualified to officiate in 3rd Division club matches.
He has applied for the Sharks Academy’s Referee Training Programme next year, while studying for his Business Management degree.
