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Currie Cup gets hairy whistle-blowers

Monday 21st July 2008

Gearing up for the chop: Mark Lawrence

South Africa's Currie Cup referees have pledged to throw their weight, and hair, behind an initiative to raise money for players injured in the game.

South African referees society has made a 'hairy' decision and pledged it's support to the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Fund. The Currie Cup's men in the middle will first grow beards for two weeks before shaving their heads and beards off to raise money for Project Hair Aware .

"All referees will grow beards from August 1 to 15, and thereafter shave their beards and heads off from August 15 to 29," SA Referees head of the project Gareth Lloyd-Jones told Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag.

"With this we hope to show our commitment to the development of safe rugby. We want to raise money for the fund and the project also has the support of former Springbok captain Morné du Plessis.

"We also want to show that we can stand together in unity against the falling number of referees.

"As referees we stand together and support each other. We ask for the public's support for the service we give rugby. Without qualified and experienced referees, there will be a greater risk for injury amongst players." added Lloyd-Jones.

Some referees such as Craig Joubert and Mark Lawrence have already started growing their beards.