Here at RugbyReferee.net we love the peaks that the global rugby season brings. We get a huge spike in traffic, comments, and social engagement in February and March, a big spike in June and July and then another across the November international window. The common theme? The big feasts of rugby that bring us all together (albeit not often in harmony!) While it’s often frustrating for us all when our side loses, or there’s big controversial moments when the TMO has intervened.. (or been intervened…) or maybe hasn’t at all… we’d like to think that the respect that we all have for each other still runs through the rugby community. Indeed, the #RugbyUnited organisation and hashtag was created for that very purpose. Community.
I saw some fantastic pictures over the weekend from Twickenham Stadium hospitality* – our friends at RugbyUnited who were there as guests of Dove – and from many others who were sampling the respective delights of international match days in Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, London or Cardiff. Indeed my own family were at the Wales v Australia game in Cardiff the other week – a fantastic atmosphere for a seven and ten year old to be part of. And there’s still a couple of matches to go in the series, culminating with the Barbarians game on 1 December at Twickenham, when the Pumas will be in town. It’ll also signal John Lacey’s last match as an international referee.
When the rugby community rallies round
But one of the things that stands out is the way rugby can rally round a community or a cause. We’ve had some hugely emotional moments in recent weeks. In Cardiff, Doddie Weir continued to highlight the horrific condition that is Motor Neurone Disease. The Wales v Scotland game, now for the Doddie Weir Cup, will live long in the memory for his involvement.
And since the terrible attack on former British Lion, Gareth Thomas last weekend, we’ve really seen the rugby community stand together to show how inclusive we are as a sport. Rugby is a game for everyone – all shapes and sizes, all ages, all genders, all backgrounds, all sexualities. Let rugby be rugby in the same way that love is love.
Keep your eyes on the #RainbowLaces hashtag across social media this weekend, and for those in the Northern hemisphere, watch for the campaign being supported in the Autumn Internationals and in the domestic leagues. The French side, at least will be sporting the laces, as will many across the Gallagher Premiership in England. The match officials will be supporting them too, including your scribe.
Rugby is at its best when we come together as one big community. Whether you’re a player, spectator, coach, referee, tv viewer, parent, partner, let’s remember that ethos and take it forward into what will be a fantastic 2019 Rugby World Cup year!
Thanks for reading
Keith
*This post is one of a rare one, where Keith Prowse Hospitality have offered to make a small contribution to the running costs of RugbyReferee.net. We will be passing that straight onto the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.