Taveuni native Keresi Maya is stamping his mark in the officiating circles after being handed a six year ban for punching a referee as a player during an under-19 match in 2020.
Maya was given a new lease of life by the Suva Rugby Referees Association and Tailevu Rugby Referees Association when he made his debut as a fourth official during the 15th Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s last year.
He officiated at the 36th Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s which ended at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday.
The 22-year-old said he was grateful to all who had given him a second chance to try to get back his rugby career.
“They have given me a chance to bounce back from that incident I had in 2020,” Maya said.
“I learnt a lot about the rules of the game of rugby from that experience, especially the rules that bind the players and the referee.”
On August 29, 2020, Maya punched referee Peni Talemaivavalagi during the match between Naitasiri and Tailevu at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
Talemaivavalagi fell straight to the ground suffering a broken nose.
Maya said he was now experiencing the challenges that the match officials face in every game.
“There is a lot of pressure not only on the players but on them as well to make the right calls and to make the right decisions,” he said.
“From the time I was banned by the FRU until today as a referee, I have learned so much about the game.”
Maya was on the verge of joining National Rugby League club Cronulla Sharks on a three year player development contract at that time however the move did not eventuate.
“Even though I lost the contract to play for Cronulla Sharks, I did not want to let it bring me down or lose hope of getting another contract in the future,” he said.
“This has been a learning experience for me and I’m learning from that mistake. I’m hoping to get another chance to play rugby union and hopefully have another chance to play again either for a local club or overseas.”
Maya is into farming at his village in Naselesele on Taveuni when he is not out travelling around the country to officiate.
The former Lelean Memorial School student said his message to the upcoming rugby players was to respect the match officials.
“It is not easy for the referees to control a game,” Maya said.
“They know all of the rules of the game but they feel the pressure not only from the players but also from the crowd as well.
“They face a lot of pressure in every game. The match officials will follow the rules and stick to the rules even though they get taunted or blamed by the crowd or players. That is something I have learnt a lot.
“I want to play rugby union again but that is really up to the FRU right now. I want to thank FRU referee manager Johnson Lee and all of the referees in the country for continuing to believe in me.”
