It's survival of the fittest in sport - fit as in physically fit, mentally fit and, last but not least, emotionally fit.
It appears as if Steve Walsh, poster boy for New Zealand referees, and New Zealand's most experienced referee, hasn't been emotionally fit for some time.
It's not very often we get referees whose personalities are so strong that they themselves become part of the entertainment package.
In cricket, Billy Bowden's theatrical and attention-grabbing umpiring gestures portrayed his obvious enjoyment of cricket and provided some entertainment when the cricket got boring.
Walsh was the lad of refereeing and almost made refereeing look macho but he hasn't been able to maintain that image without falling off the wagon.
Is it right to expect referees to have higher standards of behaviour than the players? Definitely on the field, and in terms of gaining respect from the players in future games, it would make sense to behave off the field as well.
How can someone demand respect if they play dirty or bend the rules all the time?It sounds like Walsh let his guard down often, ignored warnings to curb his behaviour and seek help, and was justifiably punished after one too many infringements.
Does anyone else find it ironic that a referee who pulls out the yellow and red cards to players without hesitation has asked for a last chance apparently more than once?From what is being reported in the media, Walsh has been struggling with personal issues for some time, which have manifested as alcohol-related acts of ill-discipline.
Steve has been pretty honest about his problems and opportunities to redeem himself but seems hurt that the NZRU is not willing to invest its time or money into helping him overcome his demons.
Counselling for alcohol and behaviour management issues for players is more readily provided because they are the product and without the players there wouldn't be a game.
I'd argue that without referees there wouldn't be a game either, and it is unfortunate that one of New Zealand's most flamboyant (and sometimes opinionated and stroppy) referees could not be saved and rehabilitated.
We had an alcohol and sport conference at Massey University in 2005 and it was no surprise to those involved that sport-related alcohol consumption is rife in New Zealand and Australia, especially (but not exclusively) in male team sports.
Recruiting referees and officials for sport is hard, and referee associations do their best to develop and retain referees, offering opportunities to advance through the ranks, attend workshops, and officiate at world events.
It must be a lonely life as a referee, though.
When I retired from rugby I contemplated the life of a whistle-blower.
Someone once told me that if you go down that road, be prepared to be hated, ridiculed and restricted to a small social group (often including other referees) after the game.
I'm too much of a social wannabe to live that lifestyle.
Although we like to think sport is an escape from reality, reality sometimes comes up and bites you in the butt and reminds you that sport and what you do in that culture is not divorced from society's expectations and moral codes.
I'm a great believer in redemption, and maybe this wake-up call is what Walsh needed to really address what is going on in his life.
