EPCR has today announced Tony Spreadbury as the Lausanne-based organisation’s new Head of Match Officials. Spreadbury joins the tournament organiser of the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup in December. That is before the start of the 2021/22 European club season and allows him to conclude his current role as Head of Professional Game Match Officials at the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
Spreadbury has some record in refereeing. After starting out as a member of the Somerset Referees Society he combined refereeing with his job as a paramedic in the ambulance service for 17 years before becoming one of the game’s first fully-professional referees. He took charge of 44 test matches, officiated at two Rugby World Cups, and refereed the 2003 Heineken Cup final. He went on to become Head of the RFU’s professional referee unit in 2014.
Anthony Lepage, EPCR interim Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted that someone of Tony’s calibre with extensive experience in the whole area of match officials is joining the organisation. He has established a reputation as an excellent administrator with an in-depth knowledge of the elite, professional game during his time at the RFU. While continuing to work closely with World Rugby on our behalf, he will play a key role in the further development of our tournaments.”
From Twickenham, Conor O’Shea, RFU Director of Performance Rugby said, “On behalf of everyone at the RFU, I would like to thank Spreaders for his incredible contribution to the organisation and to refereeing over the last twenty years. He leaves us with the best group of match officials in World Rugby and obviously with our very best wishes for the future and as he continues his journey in rugby.” O’Shea added that they were working with Spreadbury on the future structure for match officials and that will be announced in due course.
Spreadbury added, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the RFU over the last 20 years. I am delighted to be joining EPCR. I am looking forward to working with the match officials, their managers and with the clubs competing in the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup as we seek to continue the improvements in officiating standards across Europe.
Good luck to Spreaders on this new role!
