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Short sleeved shirts, Why?

Ciaran Trainor

Ciaran Trainor


Referees in England
Just a little light debate.
A few weeks a go there was a big debate about a ref wearing gloves in a game and another not wearing the same colour under shirt with long sleeves as his top.
Why do shirts these days all seem to have short sleeve? As a ref I hate them yet all our society's gear and I suspect others are short sleeves.
Where I am in Cumbria it's bloody freezing half the season and I can be seen wearing 3 shirts (I try to match my Under Shirt), gloves, leggings and occasionally a wooly hat!
Does anyone have long sleeves these days?
 
I honestly prefer short sleeves - admittedlyy that might be because the last 24 years have been spent reffing in generally warmer climes.

But even in cold weathr, short sleevs and an UnderArmour is my preferred option.

I recently found an old West of Scotland jersey from 1994 that I tried on. Miraculously still fits, but my forst inclination was to get the scissors out for the arms.
 
I keep a Halbro Ireland jersey for cold weather rugby; I've had it for over a decade.

In my area it's when the temps drop and the wind picks up that I thank my lucky stars I have it.
 
My first YRFU refereeing shirt in 2006 was a long sleeved white acrylic number that crackled like a Van de Graaf Generator when you pulled it over your head. The 2nd shirt was huge voluminous yellow tent that was the same size as a kaftan. I got the sleeves cut off that and got it altered, to reduce drag, and went from there. Replacement kit ever since has all been short sleeves.

Looking at old pictures, the first RWC where referees didn't wear long sleeves appears to be 2003. Before that it appears long sleeves were the default shirt for referees. In 1999 the French backs were still wearing long sleeves (generally) although most teams had moved to short sleeves by then. England vintage 1999, Wilkinson, De Glanville and Guscott were all LS advocates as well as Jason Leonard who looked like he just rolled his up.

Certainly it looks like Aus v Eng in 2003 was universal short sleeves including Andre "you must have a shit house" Watson the referee.

Our issued kit for NLMOT includes a black under shirt which matches none of the shirts we have (White, Orange, Green, Pink, Baby Blue). We also have a red non-waterproof, waterproof jacket for Cumbrian type weather.
 
smeagol said:
I keep a Halbro Ireland jersey for cold weather rugby; I've had it for over a decade.

In my area it's when the temps drop and the wind picks up that I thank my lucky stars I have it.
Click to expand...
By the way, my profile picture features my original Furness and District Society Referees shirt I received over 20 years ago, Long Sleeves.
Still fits and I wore it 3 weeks ago for a friendly!
 
I remember as players being asked if we preferred short sleeve or long sleeves? The answer to get them long and we can cut them off if it was too warm was not received too well by the kitman:unsure:

Long sleeves is one thing but as long as we don't need to go back to those hairstyles as well:

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