Queensland-based Super Rugby referee Rohan Hoffmann will take on the new role of Match Officials Development Manager - Queensland, in a joint venture between Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Queensland Rugby.
Hoffmann, a product of Marist College Ashgrove, represented Queensland at a schoolboy, under 19 and under 21 level. He played Premier Rugby for Brothers and went on to earn 27 Test caps for Portugal playing at flyhalf, outside centre and fullback in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Following his playing career, the 42-year-old has refereed 16 Super Rugby games and five Test matches as well as a large number of Queensland Premier Rugby matches. Hoffmann has also been appointed to referee this Saturday’s inaugural Buildcorp NRC Grand Final at Ballymore between McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City and the Perth Spirit.
The role will see Hoffmann assist in the implementation and development of the ARU’s match officials strategy in Queensland. He will be responsible for delivering the match official education program that will further enhance Rugby education in Queensland.
Key aspects of the role include will include growing participation of match officials within the code, while also developing and nurturing emerging match official talent in Queensland. He will continue to referee at the Super Rugby level while undertaking the new role.
ARU Pathway Services Manager – Officiating, Scott Young, believes Hoffmann’s years of experience in the game will assist him in the new role.
“The introduction of the Match Officials Development Manager role is crucial to ensuing the development of match officials in Queensland is in parallel with the development of players,” Young said.
“Rohan brings a wealth of experience to the role having both played and refereed at the highest level. He is a great example of a former player that has taken up the whistle and he now has the opportunity to give back to the game in this role.”
Queensland Rugby General Manager – Game Development, Rob Donaghue, said the introduction of the new role was a great addition to Queensland Rugby’s development pathway.
“Queensland Rugby has worked vigorously in recent times in the areas of player and coaching development, so the introduction of a role dedicated to match official development is a natural progression,” Donaghue said.
“It’s crucial that we provide opportunities for people to become involved in the game and Rohan will help ensure that we’re providing as much support as possible to aspiring male and female referee’s in Queensland.”
