Scottish referee Finlay Brown feels “excited and proud” to have been selected to the officials panel for the women’s sevens at the Paris Olympics.
Along with Craig Chan (Hong Kong China), Talal Chaudhry (Canada), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Ano Kuwai (Japan), Maria Latos (Germany), Cisco Lopez (USA), Tyler Miller (Australia), Lavenia Rawaca (Fiji) Kat Roche (USA) and George Selwood (England, Great Britain) Brown will be officiated in the Stade de France between July 28 and July 30.
“I am just so excited and also proud to have achieved this goal of going to an Olympics,” Brown said.
“I started the journey to reach Paris 2024 in December 2017 so it’s been a long ride with so many good memories, but also tough moments to overcome.
“Being a part of the world series for the last three years has been a highlight so far. Not one specific tournament stands out, but getting to visit the different cities across the world such as Vancouver, Perth and Hong Kong has been brilliant and they have been incredible to experience and explore.”
Born, raised and based in Edinburgh now, Brown, 30, started playing rugby at school and club for George Heriot’s and Heriot’s from the age of six.
“In my first year of senior rugby I picked up a number of injuries and was encouraged by my dad to try refereeing as he was also a referee,” Brown explained.
“I started to occasionally referee at age 18 then took it slightly more seriously after 12 months and things have gone from there.
“We have to be pretty fit to referee sevens, that’s for sure. We are tested for the ‘Bronco’ and speeds and have to hit pretty high thresholds to be a part of the World Rugby team.
“During a game, despite there only being seven players in each team, the speed of the game means there is a fair bit going on and therefore accuracy for us as referees is crucial.”
What is Brown most looking forward to about the Paris experience?
“Enjoying every moment of it,” he said.
“The match officials here have been on this journey together like the teams and this is the pinnacle for us too so to share it with your mates is really special.
“To have the opportunity to referee in a packed Stade de France whilst giving the best sevens players in world the opportunity to display their skillsets to a global audience will be phenomenal. “Paris 2024 is a real opportunity to announce sevens to the world and to play the smallest part in that is so special.”
Great Britain women’s sevens Olympic squad
Amy Wilson Hardy
Ellie Boatman
Ellie Kildunne
Emma Uren (C)
Grace Crompton
Heather Cowell
Isla Norman-Bell
Jade Shekells
Jasmine Joyce
Lauren Torley
Lisa Thomson
Meg Jones
Reserves:
Abi Burton
Kayleigh Powell
Great Britain women’s sevens Olympic Pool B fixtures
Ireland, July 28 at 3.30pm local time (2.30pm UK)
Australia, July 28 at 7.30pm local time (6.30pm UK)
South Africa, July 29 at 2pm local time (1pm UK)
Rest of fixtures on July 29 and 30 depends on results
Finlay Brown is pictured, thanks to him for the images
GH Media will be covering the Scots involved in sevens at the Olympics between July 27 and July 31