I'm a Rugby League Match Official in the UK and I took this up because I never got to play any sports as a child because my parents worked long hours. I have only been doing this a few months but now I want to play, but still referee. Has anyone done this before? I know I won't be able to officiate their games but surely I can do both and still progress as a referee hopefully to the professional game?I'm a Rugby League Match Official in the UK and I took this up because I never got to play any sports as a child because my parents worked long hours. I have only been doing this a few months but now I want to play, but still referee. Has anyone done this before? I know I won't be able to officiate their games but surely I can do both and still progress as a referee hopefully to the professional game?

Plenty of qualified referees still play the game at the club level. Obviously you shouldn't be refereeing a match involving your own club or games which could affect your club's standing, but it does happen, particularly when the scheduled referee become unavailable or is injured and you find yourself drafted. Just make sure you keep your player cap firmly separated from your refereeing one. You might also note that observing other referees manage a match you are playing in can be a good learning tool. If there is a controversial call, or one you disagree with, ask yourself (objectively) what the problem with the call was and how you could have handled it better,