At SUPER BEACH 5’S RUGBY, we are proud of always having the ‘cream’ of Refereeing talent. Afterall, it’s what makes THE LIGNANO INTERNATIONAL CUP such an incredible experience for Players and Fans alike.
Maintaining the flow and high speed of the game on sand, often in intense heat, is one of the unique challenges for our officials. For the teams to know that they are in the hands of a ‘Master’ makes the difference.
In other sports, unfortunately Referee’s don’t always get the recognition and respect they deserve. At LIGNANO, they always do. Simple. And what a Panel of “MASTERS” we have lined up for this year. Taking part in “MASTER REF LIGNANO 2013” will be:
Dave Drury – WRU [Welsh Rugby Union, Wales]
Vlad Iordachescu – FRR [Federatia Romana de Rugby, Romania]
Marius Mitrea – FIR [Federazione Italiana Rugby]
Andrea Spadoni – FIR [Federazione Italiana Rugby]
Francesco Lento – FIR [Federazione Italiana Rugby]
Filippo Navarra – FIR [Federazione Italiana Rugby]
Dave Drury (WRU, Wales):
Affiliated to the Welsh Rugby Union, Dave commenced his refereeing career in 1995. He was a member of the RFU’s Referee Panel from 2002 – 2005, and since 2005 he has been a member of the WRU Referee Panel. A keen follower of Rugby 7’s & 10’s formats, Dave has regularly officiated at the Amsterdam 7’s, Kinsale 7’s, Barcelona 7’s and Leiden 10’s. In the world of Super Beach 5’s Rugby, it seems no tournament at Lignano can be held without him, such has been his involvement at every Lignano International Cup, since it’s inception in 2001. Winning his 13th SB5 Cap this season, Dave Drury is ‘a Living Lignano Legend’ and proven ‘Master of the 2nd Rule’. Welcome home Dave!
Vlad Iordachescu (FRR, Romania):
As announced in an earlier article, Vlad is this years appointed referee direct from the IRB, Dublin. A native of Romania’s capital, Bucharest, he has been officiating at a senior level since 2002 and is part of the IRB’s Top Referee Panel, with his most recent official appearance being a member of the IRB’s officiating team at the RWC SEVENS 2013 in Moscow. As with the IRB’s 2 previous referee appointments, Afonso Bahia Nogueira (2011) & Frank Himmer (2012), we very much look forward to welcoming Vlad to Lignano Sabbiadoro and into the SUPER Beach 5’s f. This year Vlad will win his 1st SB5 Cap.
Marius Mitrea (FIR, Italia):
Leading the charge for Italian Referee’s is Marius, who commenced his refereeing career in 2007 and quickly progressed to the international stage in 2009 and he is currently a member of the FIR Elite Referee Panel. The last 3 season’s in particular have seen him in action all around the globe officiating at full International Test level. A recent highlight being his participation at the most recent IRB JWC 2013 in France, he also regularly referees ERC / Amlin, Top 14 France, Rabo Direct Pro 12 and the Italian Top 10. This will be Marius’s 1st official visit to Lignano and it’s one we very much look forward to. Welcome Marius !
Andrea Spadoni (F.I.R, Italia):
Andrea is another of Italy’s rising young refereeing stars at just 25 years of age. He also is coming to SB5 2013 fresh from his participation at the RWC SEVENS 2013 in Moscow. In his career to date he has made swift progress taking charge of his first International matches in 2012 including the RWC Sevens Qualifying tournament in Portugal. In 2013 he was a regular member the panel for the HSBC SEVENS World Series at the legs in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Glasgow & London. He refereed the final of ROMA SEVENS 2013, and also took charge of the 2013 Six Nations Womens International, Ireland v England. A specialist in the Rugby SEVENS game, making his 1st official visit to Lignano, an SB5 welcome to Andrea.
Francesco Lento (F.I.R, Italia):
Based in Friuli, we are delighted to also welcome Francesco Lento who regularly officiates in Italy’s Top Divisions. He has also participated in Six Nations B, Amlin Cup Challenge and Rabo Direct Pro 12 league as Touch Judge and 4th/5th official. We are particularly pleased Francesco will be with us this year, the 20th Anniversary of Beach 5’s Rugby at Lignano. Because infact Francesco was the original referee at the first games of Beach 5’s Rugby that took place in LIGNANO 20 years ago. On this landmark anniversary, Welcome home, Francesco !
[frame align=”center”]
Francesco Lento & Filippo Navarra, 2008 Lignano[/frame]
Filippo Navarra (F.I.R Italia):
As a native of Udine, Filippo’s refereeing career started in 2004 when he commenced in Italy’s Serie B. Since then he has become a member of the FIR Referee Panel for Italian Rugby’s ‘Serie A’ and made his official debut in the Top Flight Eccellenza in 2013. He also has officiated at Rabo Direct Pro 12 & FIRA international matches. His proximity to Lignano means that Filippo is already a long standing member of the BEACH 5’s Family, having refereed on 5 previous occasions. A true ‘Master’ of the BEACH 5’s format, it’s always great pleasure to have you back in the team, Filippo.
SUPER BEACH 5’s RUGBY. Not for your Average Referees.
