Roger Quittenton

International Rugby Referee

Roger, or “Q” as he became known, was born in Surrey on 14 February 1940. After leaving Worthing High School he became a Mathematics teacher at Chichester and Worthing High Schools for Boys, and at Worthing Sixth Form College. However, it was as a rugby referee that he was best known.

When he died in 2013 tributes to him poured in from RFU officials, referees and players alike, so much so that your editor feels that he can do no better than to select extracts from those tributes in an attempt to paint a fair and comprehensive picture of the man as others in the top echelons of the game saw him.

He was a referee before his time –the first ‘professional’ in an amateur era whose style and attention to detail made him a genuine refereeing legend in his own life time. He was different, some thought him eccentric and pernickety (a trait ascribed to many schoolmaster referees), but by and large he was respected and admired.

Before each match he would arrive early, sometimes a day or two before, in order to familiarise himself with the ground and the conditions anticipated on match day, including where the sun might be. He took great pains to ensure that his kit was always immaculate, the shortness of his shorts being legendary. His lunch-time breaks as a teacher were spent running up and down measured distances to keep himself fit for keeping up with the play.

His dedication to the job of a referee paid dividends; he achieved world-wide recognition and officiated at international matches over a period of 12 years from 1977 to 1989, including the inaugural World Cup in New Zealand in 1987, and 20 Test Matches.

It is in the nature of the job that referees sometimes make decisions that are controversial and in this Q was no exception. In 1978 Wales were leading the All Blacks 12-10 in Cardiff with only two minutes left before Wales would achieve a historic victory. New Zealand were also desperate to win to secure a grand slam, so the All Black Andy Haden took it upon himself to dive out of a line-out spectacularly. A penalty was awarded from which New Zealand scored to clinch victory. The whole crowd seemed to register Haden’s dive for what it was, but Q always maintained that he was on the other side of the line-out, hadn’t even seen the dive, and had awarded the penalty for a push by the Welsh prop Geoff Wheel on another New Zealand player.

On his retirement Q was immediately appointed as an International Referee Selector. Over a number of years Q assisted many senior referees in maximizing their ability to referee at the top end of the game by passing on his shrewd guidance, sympathy, and understanding of the demands made on top flight referees. Q also served as a referee assessor, a role he fulfilled with his customary professionalism, his reports being filled with constructive comments.

One other thing that singles out Q from other rugby referees is that a framed print, a jigsaw puzzle, and a mug showing him in action have all been produced and are still available.

In his other life as a teacher Q is affectionately remembered by his pupils. Andrew Bustin -said “I read about the passing of this great man with much sadness, he introduced me to Rugby whilst I was a pupil at Chichester High School for Boys. On the other side of my life with “Dick” as the kids affectionately (and oh so obviously named him) I still have no idea what simultaneous equations do! Even though I had to solve several of them when I was put in detention by him for suggesting he might be wrong!”

Tim Walker an ex-pupil at Worthing High School for Boys said “I have read some of the tributes to Roger online, most referring to his achievements in the world of rugby. I wanted to add that I remember him as an exceptional teacher too. In 1974-76 in the 6th form, he taught me Applied Mathematics. I did pass my A level, though I was never very good at it in truth. But Roger brought a massive energy and infectious enthusiasm to his lessons, made it his business to know his students, and coached and cajoled me in this difficult subject with good humour and respect. His approach, accessibility and presence stood out among the teachers I encountered at the time, this was a man who made a real impression on me."