Paul Dobson was presented with the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished
Service 2012 by IRB Council Member and South African Rugby Union CEO
Jurie Roux at the IRB Junior World Championship semifinals in Cape Town
on Sunday.
In a life devoted to Rugby, not just as a referee, but also as a schools
coach and writer, Dobson has made an exceptional contribution to the
Game in South Africa since taking the whistle of his first match in
1955, while a student in Pietermaritzburg.
He joined the Western Province Referees Society in 1968 and took charge
of more than 40 first class matches, becoming renowned for his
authoritative, knowledgeable and fair style.
“The IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service recognises those who
have contributed significantly to the area of officiating and there are
few who have given more to referee development in South Africa than Paul
Dobson. His contribution to the Game over five decades as a referee,
referee administrator and schools coach has changed the landscape of
refereeing in the nation,” said Roux.
“He is an icon of refereeing in South Africa and is the mentor of guys
like Andre Watson and other leading South African referees.”
One of Dobson's lasting legacies was his drive to unify the two
different Referees' Societies in South Africa, representing the then
different Unions. By the end of 1991, Dobson had successfully navigated
the merger and the referees were the first Rugby body to achieve this, a
year ahead of the Unions becoming joined.
“It's always nice when your own people recognise you,” said Dobson after receiving the Award. “But, they didn't have to do it.”
“Dr Danie Craven said, 'If you love something you never have to make
sacrifices', so I've never made sacrifices or felt I was serving. I
loved doing it. I loved being with referees, I loved the whole business
of refereeing and I've been one since 1968.”
“It's the friendship of it, being part of Rugby football in a very
special way. I've met marvellous people from all over the world and
that's been great. I've enjoyed it enormously," added Dobson.
Dobson became Chairman of the Western Province Society in 1985 and
managed all aspects of refereeing in the region until his retirement in
1999. He was a member of the Western Province Rugby Council for 15
years. He is now a life member and honorary life president of the
Western Province Rugby Referees Society.
Dobson has, in recent years, turned his hand to Rugby writing and his
books on the Game include: The Official History of South African Rugby,
Doc: An Autobiography of Danie Craven and biographies on Nick Mallett
and Andre Watson. He also manages content for the SARU Referees website.
Dobson's career as a school master saw him become South Africa's
youngest headmaster when he was appointed to the role at St Charles aged
just 25. He joined the Bishops staff as a Latin teacher and during his
27 years on the staff he coached the under 15s and 16s.
The IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service is the second of the IRB Awards to be presented in 2012.
In May, New Zealand's playmaker Tomasi Cama was named IRB Sevens Player
of the Year, in association with HSBC. Later this week, the IRB Junior
Player of the Year 2012 will be announced following the conclusion of
the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa.
