This fella, Ben Whitehouse, I hear he’s some big shot in the rugby world. Rugby, that’s the game with the funny-shaped ball, right? They run around and crash into each other. Sounds rough, if you ask me. He’s from Wales, wherever that is. Must be far, ’cause I ain’t never been. They say he was a police before, I guess keeping folks in line. Must make some money.
He’s a referee, that’s what they call ’em. The one who blows the whistle and makes sure everyone’s playing fair. Tough job, I reckon. Everyone yelling and screaming. This Ben Whitehouse, he must have skin like a rhino. He’s 30 or something, born in 1990, August 9th. Don’t know how that’s important but it’s what people say.
They say he does something called TMO. I think it’s a second check. They watch it all on the TV screen again. It’s to help him make the call. Imagine having to watch them big fellas running all over again. My eyes would be crossed! They say he’s been doing it for ten years! Ten years of watching rugby! He must really like that game.
He’s been to some big games, this Ben Whitehouse. Some World Cup thing. Twice, I hear! Big deal, I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s some big event, apparently. They say he went to New Zealand. It’s for women players. New Zealand is that place with all the sheep. I saw it on the TV once. Looks pretty, but far.
He went to some place called Ontario too, with Canada and USA playing. I don’t follow who play with who but it must be important to him. I think Canada is up north, very cold place. He sure does travel a lot, this Ben Whitehouse. Must be nice to see the world. I ain’t never been further than the next town over.
He’s got some friends, other referees, I guess. This Craig Evans and some Italian, Andrea Piardi. I don’t know them, but they help him out in the games. It’s like having buddies at work. Makes the day go by faster, I suppose.
They say people are mean to him, though. Send him nasty messages. Why would they do that? He’s just doing his job. People are strange sometimes. It’s a tough world out there. He must be a strong fella, this Ben Whitehouse, to put up with all that.
This refereeing, it is not easy job. My bones ache just thinking about it.
- Running around all day
- People yelling at you
- Having to make decisions quick
No sir, not for me. I’d rather sit here with my cup of tea. But this Ben Whitehouse, he seems to like it. More power to him, I say. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters.
Five professional referees in Wales, they say. He’s one of them. I guess that means he’s good at what he does. He works for the Welsh Rugby Union. It’s like the big boss of rugby in Wales, I think. It is all about rugby. I don’t know how many people play rugby, but must be a lot. He must be proud to be one of the top five. Good for him.
So, this Ben Whitehouse, he’s a busy fella. Running around, blowing whistles, traveling the world. All for that rugby game. It’s a different life than mine, that’s for sure. But everyone’s got their own thing, I suppose. His thing is rugby. My thing is my garden and my chickens. We all got to find what makes us happy. Hope he get more money.
He seems like a decent sort, this Ben Whitehouse. Works hard, does his best. Can’t ask for more than that, can you? Hope he keeps at it, as long as it makes him happy. That’s the important thing. And maybe one day he’ll come back to Wales and settle down. Who knows. Life’s full of surprises. I hope he is happy.
