Ken Adams, an active referee in the 1980’s and 1990’s, as President of the Manitoba Association of Rugby Referees developed programs to assist in the identification of local fficials by Rugby Canada, coordinated international referee exchanges, and implemented a strong administrative process to ensure the viability and growth of local rugby officials. Ken also played for and helped to coach the Saracens Rugby Football Club, represented Manitoba on the provincial team and remains a shameless promoter of Manitoba rugby in Canada. An integral part of any sport is the official who makes it possible for the game to be played within the constructs of the laws associated with it. Ken Adams has been instrumental in enabling the sport of rugby in Manitoba through his contributions to the Manitoba Association of Rugby Referees (MARR) over the years.
Ken began playing rugby in his native England at the age of 10 and continued throughout his university days, captaining the university team. After graduation he went to New Zealand where he played for the Otago “Country” team, a feeder for the Otago Provincial Team. After ending up in Winnipeg Ken founded the Saracens RFC in 1969 with Peter Press and Howie Goss. He played for 10 years with the Saracens and is an honorary life member of the club. He played on the provincial squad and captained that team from 1969 to 1974. He also served on the Manitoba Rugby Union Board as Secretary (1970’s) and Executive Vice‐President (1990’s). Ken began his career as an official in 1979 and was an active referee for 25 years. He was a member of the Canadian referee panel from 1990‐1996 and was selected to officiate Under 19, Tier I and Tier II, as well as Women’s, matches. He also ran touch for the international Senior Men’s (Can‐Am) match held at Maple Grove Rugby Park between Canada and the USA in 1994. A few years later, Ken was once again selected to run touch when the Junior Maori (a national team composed of players of Maori descent), second only to the New Zealand All Blacks, visited Winnipeg to play a match against a Prairie Select side.
As President of the Manitoba Association of Rugby Referees, Ken implemented a strong administrative process to ensure the viability and growth of local rugby officials. He was the MARR representative on the provincial board for many years. He pursued a referee exchange program with New Zealand, Britain and other Canadian provinces ‐ the highlight being when Bill Zubrec, a local referee, spent time in New Zealand. He also set up hosting opportunities and facilitated introductions whenever local referees were travelling elsewhere. Ken was a member of the Canadian Referee Assessor panel as well for many years.
Ken continues to serve on the Discipline Committee, having been a member for 15 years. He remains a shameless promoter of Manitoba rugby to others in Canada.
Ken began playing rugby in his native England at the age of 10 and continued throughout his university days, captaining the university team. After graduation he went to New Zealand where he played for the Otago “Country” team, a feeder for the Otago Provincial Team. After ending up in Winnipeg Ken founded the Saracens RFC in 1969 with Peter Press and Howie Goss. He played for 10 years with the Saracens and is an honorary life member of the club. He played on the provincial squad and captained that team from 1969 to 1974. He also served on the Manitoba Rugby Union Board as Secretary (1970’s) and Executive Vice‐President (1990’s). Ken began his career as an official in 1979 and was an active referee for 25 years. He was a member of the Canadian referee panel from 1990‐1996 and was selected to officiate Under 19, Tier I and Tier II, as well as Women’s, matches. He also ran touch for the international Senior Men’s (Can‐Am) match held at Maple Grove Rugby Park between Canada and the USA in 1994. A few years later, Ken was once again selected to run touch when the Junior Maori (a national team composed of players of Maori descent), second only to the New Zealand All Blacks, visited Winnipeg to play a match against a Prairie Select side.
As President of the Manitoba Association of Rugby Referees, Ken implemented a strong administrative process to ensure the viability and growth of local rugby officials. He was the MARR representative on the provincial board for many years. He pursued a referee exchange program with New Zealand, Britain and other Canadian provinces ‐ the highlight being when Bill Zubrec, a local referee, spent time in New Zealand. He also set up hosting opportunities and facilitated introductions whenever local referees were travelling elsewhere. Ken was a member of the Canadian Referee Assessor panel as well for many years.
Ken continues to serve on the Discipline Committee, having been a member for 15 years. He remains a shameless promoter of Manitoba rugby to others in Canada.