2015-16 HSBC WORLD RUGBY SEVENS REFEREES ANNOUNCED

With excitement building ahead of rugby sevens’ Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016, World Rugby has announced that one Canadian referee has been selected to officiate during the 2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Markhams own Rose LaBreche.

With the high-octane world of sevens requiring exceptional standards of fitness, the former Markham District High and Markham Irish Rugby alumni will link up with her colleagues ahead of the opening round in Dubai. World Rugby Council member and match official selector John Jeffery said: “Congratulations to all the men’s and women’s officials selected for next season’s series. With Rio 2016 rapidly approaching, we are set for another record-breaking season of sevens on and off the field." The men’s referee panel is: Richard Kelly (NZRU), Matt O’Brien (ARU), Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU), Federico Anselmi (UAR), Craig Joubert (SARU), Alex Ruiz (FFR), Nick Briant (NZRU), Mike Adamson (SRU), Ben Crouse (SARU), Rasta Rasivhenge (SARU), Anthony Moyes (ARU) and Taku Otsuki (JPN). The women’s referee panel is: Leah Berard (USA), Alhambra Nievas (ESP), Sara Cox (RFU), Gabriel Lee (HKRFU), Jess Beard (NZRU), Amy Perrett (ARU), Beatrice Benvenuti (ITA), Rose LaBreche (CAN), James Bolabiu (FIJI) and Rasta Rasivhenge (SARU). The men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series has been extended to 10 stops for the 2015/16 series, with Cape Town, Sydney, Singapore, Vancouver and Paris new additions to the circuit. Dates for the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series will be announced in due course. Men’s selection panel John Jeffrey, Chairman (SCO), Vinny Munro (NZRU), Tappe Henning (SRU), Paddy MacNally (USA), Paddy O’Brien (World Rugby Sevens Referee manager) Women’s Selection Panel John Jeffrey (Chairman), Bob Easton (SRU), Bernd Gabbei (World Rugby consultant) Paddy O’Brien (World Rugby Sevens Referee manager).