In 1977, Sydney lawyer Paul Akon wrote the book “Play the Whistle” for rugby union referees at the age of 30. On March 15 of that year, The Fiji Times noted that this book was the first of its kind globally. During his travels to Tonga and New Zealand, Mr. Akon also stopped in Suva and visited numerous rugby-playing nations, including Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, the US, Singapore, and Argentina. The Australian Rugby Football Union accepted the book, and Mr. Akon provided each union with a copy, granting them publishing and distribution rights for local use. Profits from the book sales were intended to benefit the sport.
Mr. Akon proposed that unions could utilize the profits for their purposes or send them to the Australian Society of Rugby Referees in Sydney. An order for 3,000 copies was placed by Wales, while Canada anticipated ordering 1,000. The book was set to be translated into French, Japanese, and Spanish, with a copy also presented to the Fiji Rugby Union.
Although aimed at referees, the book has broader appeal. It serves as an introduction to refereeing’s practical aspects, designed to assist newcomers in managing various phases of play. The book provides advice on standing positions during set plays and movement during the game, as well as insights into crucial refereeing elements such as pre-game preparation, in-game concentration, post-game actions, and touch judging.
Players, coaches, and spectators may find valuable insights within its pages. Mr. Akon, an experienced referee since age 14, learned refereeing at Scots College where he studied the laws of the game after being advised to stop playing for medical reasons. As a member of the Sydney Rugby Referees Association, he officiated matches in the Australian Capital Territory, Scotland, and Wales.