Central Otago referee Roger Hill knows first hand about the refereeing shortage - he will be the man in the middle for three games this weekend.
Hill, who is president of the Central Otago Rugby Referees Association, was set to referee a match in Ranfurly yesterday afternoon and would then referee games in Cromwell and Clyde today.
Hill said with some referees tied up and others moving on since last year there was a distinct lack of match officials in the Central Otago region.
He was used to refereeing two games every Saturday but three in two days was pretty tough.
Senior club players Steve Ridley and Hayden Finch have taken up the mantle and will be refereeing junior games today in the morning before playing in the afternoon.
Hill said more of that sort of commitment was needed from older players as junior games would be spoiled if a parent or coach had to take charge.
Referees sometimes became tired after two games in a day and that may become crucial in the final 20 minutes of a premier game, he said.
