In 1977, a groundbreaking book titled “Play the Whistle,” aimed at rugby union referees, was authored by Paul Akon, a 30-year-old lawyer from Sydney. On March 15 of that year, The Fiji Times noted that this work was the first of its kind globally.
During a visit to Suva while traveling to Tonga and New Zealand, Mr. Akon had the opportunity to explore numerous rugby-playing nations, including Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, the United States, Singapore, and Argentina. The Australian Rugby Football Union expressed acceptance of the book.
Mr. Akon provided one copy of the book to each rugby union, granting them the rights to publish and distribute it locally. Sales profits were designated to support the sport. He suggested that unions could utilize the funds or forward them to the Australian Society of Rugby Referees in Sydney.
Wales had ordered 3,000 copies, while Canada anticipated an order of 1,000. Plans were also announced for translations of the book into French, Japanese, and Spanish. A copy was presented to the Fiji Rugby Union.
While the book was primarily targeted at rugby referees, its appeal extended beyond that audience. It serves as an introduction to the practical side of refereeing, offering guidance to newcomers on how to manage various phases of play.
The content includes advice on positioning during set plays and movement during ongoing play, in addition to tips on important aspects of refereeing such as pre-game preparation, focus during the match, post-game protocols, and touch judging.
Players, coaches, and spectators may find valuable insights within the book’s pages. Mr. Akon’s journey into refereeing began at age 14, when he learned the laws of the game at Scots College after being advised to stop playing due to health reasons. A member of the Sydney Rugby Referees Association, Mr. Akon has refereed matches in the Australian Capital Territory, Scotland, and Wales.