For Barnard it was always a dream to become a rugby referee.<\/p>\n
The born and bred Germiston man played rugby (school and club) until the age of 33, but he always wanted to be on the field refereeing the match.<\/p>
\u201cIn 2007 I had an accident and broke my coccyx,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result of this I picked up 16kg and I decided to pursue refereeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am passionate about rugby, but I also decided to become a referee as a means to get fit again.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, in 2008, Barnard joined the Lions Referee Society and, under the coaching of Michael Cupido, he qualified as a referee 12 months later.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have met so many people who I never would have, except through refereeing,\u201d said Barnard.<\/p>\n
But, being a referee is not a glamorous job.<\/p>\n
Barnard has to deal with irate fans; in one incident a few years ago he had to be escorted off the premises as fans wanted to assault him.<\/p>\n
But this does not worry him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am on the field to do the best job I can and, once on the field, I focus totally on refereeing and I\u2019m not influenced by outside things,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to call each play honestly and to be consistent and, because of that, you are often criticised.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barnard said that what fans should remember is that if they misbehave they only get their club into trouble.<\/p>\n
Being a rugby referee takes a lot of dedication.<\/p>\n
You need to be extremely fit and have to pass your law exams, know how to apply the laws and be able to keep control on the field.<\/p>\n
Barnard works on his fitness all year round.<\/p>\n
Currently, he is in his ninth season of refereeing and is aiming to make it at least 10 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would then like to become a referee coach and attain my Springbok colours that way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery season I am still learning and the game of rugby is changing all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barnard told the GCN that there is currently a shortage of rugby referees.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a Friday afternoon to a Saturday afternoon I will sometimes have to refereefive or six games,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI referee school rugby games, as well as first team club games and have been appointed for Currie Cup duties, as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, if I referee during the week, I sometimes end up covering about 10 matches.\u201d<\/p>\n Potential referees must remember that not everybody is going to referee at first team matches, but if you have a love for the game, every match is enjoyable.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a referee I have also learnt to see the game from a bit of a different perspective,\u201d Barnard said.<\/p>\n He runs his own debt collecting business, which he also enjoys immensely as he loves a challenge and he enjoys spending time with his family; his wife Claudie, son Eben Junior (21) and twin daughters Marissa and Monique (19).<\/p>\n \u201cStarting a business was always a dream of mine and my brother Steven,\u201d Barnard said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he sadly passed away in 2009, I decided to go ahead and pursue it.\u201d<\/p>\n Barnard encourages everyone who gets to a match and gets excited to hear the whistle blowing to pick it up and make refereeing part of their lives.<\/p>\n \u201cRefereeing is a dying culture, but without one you can\u2019t have a match,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n If you are interested in becoming a rugby referee you can email ebiesdieref@hotmail.co.za, call Barnard on 073 098 3403, or visit www.valkereferees.co.za<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to become fit and contribute to the game of rugby, but can\u2019t play anymore, consider becoming a referee,\u201d Barnard said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other articles you may be interested in:<\/p>\n![\"Some](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2016\/06\/23GCNSPORTEBENMH2_73768.jpg\")
<\/a>