Leading Counties Manukau Rugby referee Brandon Roberts will control his 100th McNamara Cup game this weekend when he adjudicates the Patumahoe v Karaka match at Patumahoe.
Roberts made his premier debut 10 years ago when he refereed the Drury v Waiuku match at Drury Domain.
"Ten years to get to this milestone is something I am proud of," Roberts told Counties Sports Hub.
"I started my ref career in the red, white and black colours and long may that continue. The awesome support from the REO's that CM have had, the coaches and mentors, the referees themselves and their amazing partners and family, our members we have lost and said goodbye to, they all add value and make this club as awesome as it is." Roberts thinks his refereeing was a calling.
"I haven't missed a rugby season since I picked up the whistle in 2010 as a Year 12 student," Roberts explained. "I was never a rugby player but loved the game and always watched it on telly with family and friends.
"My mate Ryno van der Merwe was a referee and got me into it via a course at college.
"I love it. The many challenges that come with it teaches you so many different skills and life lessons. There have been many high emotions and difficult days on the field with the ref logo on the chest, but the many laughs and awesome memories and lifelong mates made in my journey outweigh the bad days tenfold."
