Jim Thomson is a pioneer who has changed the culture of the Otago Rugby Referees Association since he became chairman six years ago.
Thomson (58), a Macraes sheep farmer, was last night named Otago rugby volunteer of the year. Trudie van Leeuwen-Cruthers (Cromwell) was runner-up.
Thomson was the first referee to win the Ray Byrne Cup since the annual award was started in 2004.
One of the important changes during his term as chairman was to get the referees association voting rights on the Otago Rugby Football Union. It happened three years ago.
''We are a club like any other rugby club. We are not just the blokes who everyone wants to abuse on a Saturday,'' Thomson said.
''We have a stake in the game, as well. We are out there because we enjoy it and are part of the rugby family.''
Thomson's crowning achievement this year was to have a qualified registered referee controlling all grades of rugby in Otago from under-14 level to premier club level - 70 games, in all - each weekend.
''This was only due to the generosity of those who have had double appointments,'' Thomson said.
Thomson took up the cudgels for the referees when the financial woes of the ORFU meant it did not have a fulltime referee education officer for 18 months.
During that time, he became the main point of contact for all refereeing matters.
''I haven't done it myself. There's been a core group of us. We had no choice when the union fell in a heap. It was a case of swim or drown.''
He has been chairman of the Otago Rugby Referees Association for the past six years. During that time, he made a point of making sure the three sub-associations and their referees were kept up to date on the latest law changes.
Thomson has been a referee coach since 2009 and has taken pride in developing some of Otago's best young referees.
They have progressed from premier club rugby into the South Island zone squad and one made his ITM Cup debut last year.
''There are a couple of them whom, I believe, are earmarked for higher honours. One of them, Mike Smaill, is going to Sydney later this week to referee rugby league.''
When the Otago Rugby Referees Association lost some of its experienced people, Thomson took on the role of referee appointments officer for all metropolitan club and school games.
His strong lobbying eventually persuaded the ORFU to make an appointment to the vacant referee education officer position this year.
He also negotiated sponsorship so the referees association could provide gear and travel assistance to referees.
Loose forward Gareth Evans won the player of the year award at last night's Otago rugby awards.
Evans (22) had a top season for Otago, and earned himself a two-year contract with the Highlanders.
Prop Craig Millar was named rookie of the year, after he made his Otago debut at the start of the season and played well enough to be picked in the Highlanders wider training squad.
First five-eighth Hayden Parker was named back of the year, while lock Tom Franklin was named forward of the year. Both are members of next year's Highlanders squad.
Liam Coltman was given the David Latta Trophy, presented to the player judged by his team-mates to have contributed most to the team, both on and off the field.
Coltman had an outstanding year for both the Highlanders and Otago, and was called into the All Black camp for a week as part of the apprentice hooker scheme.
