Since 2021, I, Edwin van der Spek, have been active at the highest level as a rugby referee within Rugby Netherlands. From that moment on, I got to know the AXIWI communication systems during matches I officiated as referee and assistant referee. This was the deciding factor for me to get my own set so I could officiate every match with direct communication with my assistants. From 2021, I did this with the AXIWI AT-320 set. After that, I entered into discussions with AXIWI and decided to switch to the AXIWI AT-350 from the beginning of 2024.
“With AXIWI we can work as a connected Team to keep players under control, without it’s just me as a referee that needs to work hard to keep players under control.”
Professionalism in refereeing
From the 2022-2023 season, we at Rugby Netherlands have been working toward a more professional way of working (together) as referees, thereby raising the level of both referees and players. One of the steps taken was ensuring consistent teams of three referees at matches in the premier league (highest level). This gave me the opportunity to work more frequently and consistently with the AXIWI set, and it quickly became clear that working with headsets has many advantages. Calls from the assistants come through faster and clearer than without and/or with other communication tools. Additionally, both the referee and the assistants can focus on specific game situations. For example, with fouls, we can act more actively (warning/penalizing) against the offending player, because we can immediately share information about jersey numbers or behavior through the headsets.
Working as a referee “team”
The AXIWI set also enables us as referees to work even better as a team. Players always look for the edges of the rules. Through the direct wireless connection between the referee and the assistants via the headsets, players can be monitored better. The assistant can quickly pass something on to the referee if something happens behind his back. This does not necessarily mean that intervention is required, but it gives the referee the opportunity to issue a warning to the relevant player in passing and/or during a dead ball moment. As a result, players realize that not only the referee is watching them, but also the assistants; everything is seen. This gives me as a referee more calm and focus during a match to deal with the many dynamic game situations and make the right decisions. Using the headsets also gives confidence that the assistants provide me with other information about events on the field.
Wireless referee communication system
In sports, including at amateur level, it is increasingly common for multiple referees in a team to officiate a match. For effective communication between referees, AXIWI introduces the wireless, hands-free referee communication system. The AXIWI communication system is very affordable compared to its competitors: other brands are 3 to 6 times more expensive! Meanwhile, AXIWI is successfully used in sports such as handball, korfball, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, baseball, water polo, rugby, ice hockey, and floorball.
