This weekend, those gathered at Maramatanga Park will witness not just a clash of two teams in red-hot form in the last round-robin match, but also a remarkable milestone. Sam Fellows, a highly respected and dedicated Bay of Plenty Rugby Referee, will take charge of his 100th Premier match. Coincidentally, the teams participating in this momentous occasion are Te Puna and Tauranga Sports, the same two clubs that marked Sam's inaugural Premier match back in the opening round of the 2016 season.

When asked about his favourite premier match throughout his journey, Sam humbly replied, "Every game is a privilege, but probably the Western Bay final between Tauranga and Te Puna in the year we did not do Baywide due to Covid. Every final is special, but in a year where we all thought there would be no rugby, each game was a bonus despite the crowd size restrictions. The whole season had a different feel, as did the final."

Sam is the ultimate club man, and has contributed to Rugby in the Bay of Plenty and our Referees Club not just with the whistle. The immense amount of volunteer work he has put in behind the scenes is extraordinary. To highlight just a few of those roles, Sam has been a proactive member of our Referee Management Group, a mentor for 1st year referees, is a current Bay of Plenty Rugby Board member and Deputy Chair, was the editor of the very successful Whistle-Blower newsletter,  and has performed just about every match role that exists, from water-carrier to TMO to timekeeper, and so many more, with some of those roles up to International level matches.

Sam's dedication and passion for rugby have brought him to this remarkable milestone. When reflecting on the biggest challenge he has faced as a referee, Sam expressed gratitude for not personally having to deal with it, but highlighted the issue of parents, particularly coaches, screaming and yelling at kids during matches. He emphasized the negative impact this behavior has on both the children playing and the sport itself. Sam believes that such behavior sets a terrible role model for the kids involved and can discourage them from fully engaging in the game. He acknowledged the difficulty of addressing this issue, especially when situated in the middle of the action.

For aspiring referees, Sam's advice is simple yet profound: "If people are aspiring, I would say just give it a go, and if someone is new, I would say no one gets it all right, and in fact, people cannot even agree on what is right. For both groups, the key is you get out what you put in. The more you put in, the more you will enjoy it and the more you will get out of it."

Outgoing BOPRU Referee Manager Cam Russell reflected upon his own referee beginnings in the Bay, and how Sam was an integral part of that, "I remember ARing for Sam at Arataki, in the opening round of the Baywide Premier competition in 2017. I had no clue that he only had one Premier season under his belt at that point, it seemed like he had been doing it for years - he was calm and measured, nothing seemed to unsettle him. Listening to him in the earpiece I learnt so much, and throughout my first year here in Bay of Plenty, Sam was a remarkable mentor, and I know I took a lot of inspiration in my own refereeing journey to get to where I am today from Sam."

Expressing his gratitude, Sam shared, "I am just really grateful to have been and keep getting to do something that I really love while helping others play a game that they love every week. I am thankful for the friends I have made and the people I have met along the way, and continue to each week. I have been lucky to have traveled across Aotearoa, Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia, the US, Canada, and Mexico, refereeing or acting as an Assistant Referee (AR). Whether it is in a sold-out stadium or a rainy field with what feels like one person watching, I still love every time I get the privilege of playing my small part in each game."

Sam Fellows' journey as a rugby referee is an inspiration to all who witness his dedication, integrity, and love for the sport. As he steps onto the field for his 100th Premier rugby club match, let us honour his achievements and express our heartfelt appreciation for his invaluable contributions to the local rugby community. Sam's passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the game in Bay of Plenty, and we eagerly anticipate his continued involvement in the years to come.

Article added: Thursday 22 June 2023