Referee Q&A - Barry O'Hara

Why did you decide to take up the whistle? I took up rugby union refereeing by pure chance. I was playing ITRA Tag Rugby at Malone back in 2006 with a group of Friends. I was asked if I would referee a couple of Tag games, which I did. Brian Lyle, who was the venue Tag manager asked if I’d be interested in completing the USRFR new referee course…. long story short…. I turned up at the La Mon Hotel in January 2007 to be greeted by David Wilkinson (the then Referee Development Manager), took the course and haven’t looked back since.   What is the biggest thing you have learned since you started refereeing?  The Laws!! I didn’t have a background in rugby and as David Wilkinson said, I referee differently to most other refs, as they have an understanding from a players perspective. I spent a long time reading and re-reading the Law book and constantly bombarding David with silly questions and scenarios to answer. But it helped my understanding and hopefully makes me a better referee.   What was the process like to become a referee?  I went through the “John Crother’s school for referees.” It was exactly what I needed and the trial membership was a great way to help me build my confidence and understanding.   What is your training regime like? I generally like to keep fit anyway aside from refereeing. I also have 2 young children who keep me on my toes, and there’s plenty of running after them.   What is your favorite thing about refereeing?  I love to get out every Saturday and keeping fit as well. There is great camaraderie between referees and I’ve made some very good friends over the years.   What is the most memorable game you’ve been involved with so far? I was very fortunate to be appointed  5th official at the opening night of the Kingspan Stadium. Ulster took on Leinster in a very feisty match with a red card against Ulster’s Tom Court in the 1st five minutes.   What is your pre-match routine like?  Normally kit is packed on a Friday night and set out ready to go. I usually like to be at the ground an hour before kick-off just to help me prepare, say a quick hello to the coaches and try to get team sheets. Then out for a warm up, check studs and chat to the Captains. I like to have the formalities over 30 minutes before KO to let me start concentrating on the match.   What is your ambition as a referee?  I have been selected several times as 5^th official at Ulster games. The professional game is so different to running out on a Saturday afternoon refereeing an amateur game. I’d love to be involved at that level again in some capacity.   What could make you improve as a referee?  More referee coaches available for all levels. Every referee should be given the opportunity to improve (if they want it) and not just through Assessments. Even if I was given a few pointers to work on, to try and make me a better referee, to make my Saturday afternoon go smoother.   What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up refereeing? To stick at it. It’s never going to be a smooth ride, every game is different and you’ll learn something from every game. Refereeing is all about experience, so the more games you get to referee the better you will become. There are plenty of opportunities out there if you want to take them.