Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast

Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast is your weekly, local look at rugby refereeing in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. We wrap education session takeaways, appointments and match official news, plus a quick‑fire chats with BoP referees from club footy and sevens to women’s rugby, NPC and Super Rugby. Expect clear law clarifications, refereeing tips and game management insights with a bit of club banter. New episodes weekly in season. Watch on YouTube @BOPRUReferees. Contact: @BOPRugbyReferees on FB @boprureferees on Instagram.

Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast is a news podcast hosted by Bay of Plenty Referees, with 22 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Bay of Plenty Referees hosts Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast, a news show with 22 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #22

  Bryce Lawrence on World Cups, Tough Days and Better Referees (Ep 22)

  Aug 13, 202652 minS1

  This week on the Bay of Plenty Rugby Referees Podcast, we sit down with one of New Zealand's most respected rugby referees, Bryce Lawrence . Bryce reflects on a refereeing journey that took him from community rugby in the Bay of Plenty to the biggest stages in world rugby, including Super Rugby, Test rugby, the British & Irish Lions tour and the Rugby World Cup. In a wide-ranging conversation, Bryce shares: ✅ How to make decisions under pressure when everyone thinks you're wrong ✅ The importance of preparation and confidence in performance ✅ Lessons from refereeing the British & Irish Lions in South Africa ✅ Why young referees shouldn't rush their development ✅ The biggest mistakes referees make when trying to improve ✅ What he would change about the TMO and modern rugby laws ✅ How to recover from the toughest game of your career ✅ The mentors who shaped his refereeing journey ✅ Why giving back to Bay of Plenty rugby still matters We also cover the latest referee news, including the disciplinary outcome following referee contact involving Argentina's Tomás Albornoz, the launch of the new Ultimate Sevens competition, international and domestic referee appointments, and this weekend's NPC, Heartland and Northern Region fixtures. Whether you're a referee, coach, player or rugby supporter, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, resilience, performance and service. Guest: Bryce Lawrence Hosts: Sam Fellows, Sean Carra and Jamie Bell Whistle well. #BayOfPlentyRugbyReferees #RugbyRefereeing #BryceLawrence #RugbyPodcast #NPC #HeartlandChampionship #RefereeDevelopment #Leadership #WorldRugby #BayOfPlentyRugby

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #21

  Caleb Greaves: Refereeing, Recruitment, Social Media & His Grandfather's Grandstand (Ep 21)

  Aug 5, 202644 minS1

  This week on the Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast , Sam is joined by Caleb Greaves . A former Bay of Plenty referee, current North Harbour referee and member of the Northern Zone squad, Caleb has spent more than a decade in the game and has become one of the most recognisable voices promoting refereeing in New Zealand. We discuss Caleb's journey into officiating, moving through the referee pathway, life in the Northern Zone environment and the challenges of progressing as a match official. The conversation also explores Caleb's innovative work running the North Harbour Rugby Referees social media channels, including the referee recruitment campaigns that have attracted attention from across New Zealand rugby and helped start new conversations about officiating. One of the highlights of the episode is Caleb's reflections on refereeing the recent Poverty Bay versus Classic All Blacks match at Rugby Park in Gisborne, held to celebrate the opening of the new John Heikell Grandstand, named after his grandfather. We also cover: ✅ NPC Round 2 referee appointments ✅ Northern Region development and U20 appointments ✅ World Rugby women's international appointments ✅ Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series appointments ✅ New Zealand Rugby's new domestic law modifications ✅ A shout-out to the Play On: The Rugby Referee Podcast on reaching 100 episodes ✅ This week's Bay of Plenty Referees Whistler of the Week Whether you're a referee, player, coach or rugby supporter, there's something in this episode for anyone interested in the game from the match official's perspective. Links Mentioned World Rugby Match Official Appointments https://www.world.rugby/the-game/high-performance/officiating/1023105 Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series Appointments https://www.world.rugby/the-game/high-performance/officiating/1043278 ️ Play On: The Rugby Referee Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5uXSQQoFVDcCQluvr8u3N8 North Harbour Rugby Referees https://www.instagram.com/northharbourreferees

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #19

  Matthew Astle on Finals Footy, Refereeing Pathways and Respecting the Whistle (Ep 19)

  Jul 22, 202630 minS1

  This week on the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast , Sam Fellows and Sean Curragh are joined by Matthew Astle in a very timely episode, as Matt prepares to referee the Bay of Plenty Premier Men’s Final. His appointment is recognised in the episode as one of the major fixtures on the Bay of Plenty club rugby calendar and a reflection of the work, consistency and trust that goes into earning a finals appointment. Matt talks through his refereeing journey, beginning in England after injury and coaching led him towards picking up the whistle, before progressing through the English refereeing system and later moving to New Zealand. He shares how he found his way into refereeing in Hawke’s Bay, then King Country, and eventually into the Bay of Plenty, where he has joined a strong and competitive Premier refereeing group. The team also discusses finals rugby, including Sean and Sam Fellows’s recent Premier semi-final appointments, the atmosphere and pressure that comes with knockout rugby, and the importance of staying process-driven when the stakes are high. Matt reflects on what changes, and what should stay the same, when preparing for a final, including alignment with assistant referees, being brave enough to make big calls, and helping provide the best possible platform for the players. In referee news, the panel covers the controversial finish to Argentina v England, including the reaction to Angus Gardner after full-time, and the broader issue of respect for match officials. The episode also looks at the sanction imposed on Gonzalo Quesada following comments about referee Luc Ramos, and how World Rugby’s new match official abuse sanction process is intended to protect referees and support confidence in the game. Matt also shares some of his personal refereeing highlights, including refereeing at Twickenham before moving to New Zealand and having his family back home able to watch him officiate on television for the first time. He finishes with practical advice for anyone thinking about picking up the whistle: embrace the opportunity, give it a go, and enjoy the people, support and pathways that refereeing can provide. The episode closes with Matt being named Whistler of the Week, recognising not only his Premier Men’s Final appointment but also the contribution he has made since joining the Bay of Plenty refereeing community, including helping at meetings, supporting teams and contributing to the connection within the referee group.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #18

  Little Ref, Big Future: Arthur Rickard on Refereeing, Resilience and Being the #1 Rickard (Ep 18)

  Jul 15, 202635 minS1

  This week on the Bay of Plenty Rugby Referees Podcast , Sam Fellows is joined by Arthur Rickard a Tauranga Boys’ College student, Referee Academy member, and self-declared “#1 Rickard” to settle the pressing question of who really is the best Rickard in Bay of Plenty refereeing. Arthur reflects on his journey as one of the Bay’s exciting young referees, from earning the nickname “Little Ref” to refereeing tournaments such as Tai Mitchell and the Youth Development Cup. He shares what it has been like coming through the Bay of Plenty referee system at a young age, the support he has received from coaches and fellow referees, and how the Tauranga Boys’ College Referee Academy is helping create more opportunities for young officials. The episode also covers this week’s education focus on lineout management, including the value of setting clear standards early, using concise communication, and having a structured management strategy. Arthur Rickard also gives his thoughts on international refereeing, why he enjoys watching Nic Berry and Angus Gardner, and what young referees can learn from senior officials. In the interview, Arthur talks about confidence, resetting after mistakes, how musical theatre has helped his communication and presence, and why refereeing is one of the best ways to contribute to the game. The episode finishes with Jamie Bell being named Whistler of the Week for his work as referee manager and his contribution to training, communication, culture and the Tauranga Boys’ College Referee Academy. A great listen for young referees, referee coaches, parents, players, and anyone interested in how the next generation of match officials is being developed in the Bay of Plenty.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #17

  Ben The Best Rickard: Whistles, Weekends and Why We Keep Coming Back (Ep 17)

  Jul 9, 202641 minS1

  This week on the Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast , Sam Fellows, Sean Curragh and Jamie Bell are joined by Ben Rickard, fresh off being named Whistler of the Week and, by the sound of it, one of the busiest referees on the Bay of Plenty appointment sheet. Ben shares how he first picked up the whistle through junior rugby, what keeps him coming back each weekend, and the satisfaction that comes from helping players enjoy the game, particularly in the junior space. He also reflects on refereeing alongside his son Arthur Rickard, including their shared experience at the Tai Mitchell tournament and the unique bond that comes from learning, travelling and talking rugby together. The team also covers a busy week in refereeing: the Wellington referees’ stand against abuse, the latest law book tidy-ups including the charged-down kick now resulting in a try-line drop out, World Rugby’s remote TMO hub, New Zealand officials on the international stage, and the local Bay of Plenty appointments heading into finals rugby. There is also plenty of the usual podcast nonsense, after match food reviews from the coast, disappearing headgear, fantasy rugby bragging rights, favourite laws, underwear clarifications, calf injuries of varying credibility, and why referees apparently only need to check boots and mouthguards. Whistle well, team.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.