Lack of registered referees and players has scuttled the opening weekend of Ontario rugby action as the president of the Ontario Referees society has told his charges they are not properly insured and should decline any and all appointments.
Tony Cunningham said in an e-mail sent to sub-union referee societies that he had been advised via telephone message from Ontario Rugby Union president Gord McInnis that only 15% of players and only four referees were properly registered in time for the start of the Ontario season which begins this weekend.
The statement reads in part: “I regret to inform you that today, at 0945, I retrieved a voice-mail message from Gordon McInnes, President ORU, advising me that the ORU schedule of games for Saturday May 11 has been cancelled and pushed back one week. Gordon gave as the reason the fact that only some 15% of players and only 4 referees had registered with Rugby Canada.
More details to follow.
