Guest Speaker Report
by
Rotarian Peter Douglas
Wednesday 23 July 2008
Our guest speaker was George Ayoub, International Rugby Referee (recently retired but now a video referee), raconteur and recently diagnosed diabetic.
George was introduced by PP Peter Manenti.
In his youth George played for Wests Rugby and St Pats Old Boys and then progressed into the ranks of refereeing. In 1995 he refereed his first 1st grade game and in 1996 joined the Australian panel. Since then he has travelled the world being paid to do what he loved most. During that time he has mixed with identities at all levels. Some of the amongst 40 countries he has visited were highlights in Korea and Sri Lanka. He also refereed a game from the Sydney competition between Easts and Warringah which was played in Shanghai. Some of the memorable Australian personnel were Phil Kearns, John (knuckles) Connolly, John Welborn and Michael Cheika. In addition George was involved in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the Women’s Rugby Cup in Canada in 2006 and various sevens tournaments also 3 Super 12 matches.
George says refereeing as a form of masochism where at best you can only please 50% of the people – what if it is a draw!.
In 2007 George was diagnosed with Diabetes and was to give up the physical side of the game but still officiates as a television .match official or video referee.
George commented how the game has changed since becoming a professional sport in 1995. The game is much faster and the players have an increased skills level.
George stated he has no regrets that his fantastic journey as a ground referee is now at an end and he looks forward as a spectator.
After a series of questions George was thanked by PP Doug Potter