Highlanders to pick up the whistle this weekend

The Highlanders will be out in force on Saturday morning armed with whistles as they join the referee ranks for the day. All able squad members will be refereeing metro junior club rugby on Saturday 25^th May as part of their Annual Club Round and getting a taste of rugby when you’re on the other side of the whistle.

Highlanders Vice-Captain, Sam Gilbert commented, “This is something we look forward to each year and with a Sunday game we’re lucky it fits into the schedule. Referees are such a vital part of any sport and we’re grateful to be able to give back in this way to a sport that’s given us so much."

The lucky year groups range from Under 5 through to Year 3 and will be spread across twenty-one games at Opoho, Kettle Park, Hancock Park, Miller Park, Montecillo, Watson Park and Peter Johnstone Park in Mosgiel from 9am to 11am on Saturday morning.  

Brandon Hale (Game Development - Refereeing) from Otago Rugby Football Union added, “I'm really looking forward to seeing the Highlanders out there giving back to the game through refereeing this weekend. Having referees for our games is vital for our sport to thrive. The boys this weekend will show what a big difference giving up an hour of your day makes to our young people and their rugby experience. There's no better place on the field to be than with a whistle in hand. It really is the best seat in the house!"

This weekend at the Highlanders v Fijian Drua game on Sunday (2:05pm kick off) we will be celebrating our Annual Club Round where all registered junior club rugby kids are encouraged to come in their club kit to represent their club and we have our annual Club relay race at halftime. This will also be the last chance for Highlanders fans to cheer on their team at home this season as we enter the final few rounds of the regular season, as always, Kids are Free (T&Cs apply) so we encourage you all to come on down to Forsyth Barr Stadium at 2:05pm on Sunday to enjoy Super Rugby at the best Stadium in New Zealand!