Being a frontline police officer is one of the most challenging jobs around. But that’s not stopping Dunedin PST officer Erin Doherty from finding success in her equally challenging side hustle.
“Rugby refereeing is not the most attractive gig, but I feel a bit of a pull to give back and make an effort because without referees there’s no game,” she says.
All that effort and her contribution to the game has now been rewarded, as Erin has been named by New Zealand Rugby as part of the 2022 National Referee Squad.
It’s an achievement that started for self-diagnosed ‘rugby head’ Erin after she made the move from playing at Otago premier level for Kaikorai Rugby Club to refereeing, in the same year she headed to Police College.
“I played for 10 years and then was in a job where I couldn’t commit to playing on weekends, but after three or four years I started getting that time back and began reffing in 2018, just to stay involved in the game.
“My first game as a ref was for an under-13 match.”
Erin’s red card comes in handy in the muster room sometimes.
Erin quickly rose through the refereeing ranks though, and after officiating for local women’s premier games, she caught the eyes of national referee selectors.
“I got invited to the national squad training camp in Wellington, and when I was there they let me know that I’d actually made the squad.”
Erin’s skills and potential were singled out in the recent New Zealand Rugby (NZR) press announcement of the squad, with NZR National Referee Manager Bryce Lawrence clearly impressed by her officiating.
“We've selected Erin as we look to build depth in women’s refereeing. Erin is a promising referee and she’ll benefit from learning about the technical, tactical and game knowledge required at this level.”
And that level will be extremely high in New Zealand domestic rugby, with Erin set to be in charge for games in the prestigious women’s Farah Palmer Cup. Her first outing at this level will be in Nelson, as Tasman Women take on Taranaki.
When asked if her frontline policing skills come in handy on the rugby field, Erin says communication is key in both jobs.
“I guess some of it is similar to my day job with Police. It’s all about the way you talk to people, and help them understand things.”
A knowing grin forms as Erin adds, “and if they ask too many questions you’ve got to be able to shut things down quickly and move on”.
You can catch Erin’s first Farah Palmer Cup game in charge on Sky Sport: Tasman Women Vs Taranaki Women – Saturday 30 July, 2.05pm kick off.