From Player to Referee: Tinotenda Madawu’s Rugby Journey
Interview with Tinotenda Madawu
Noel: Tinotenda Madawu, thank you for joining me today. You’ve had a remarkable journey in the world of rugby, from being a player to becoming a respected referee. Can you tell us a bit about your experience as a referee?
Tinotenda Madawu: Indeed! It’s been a fantastic journey so far. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the support I’ve received from coaches, senior referees, and educators. People like Shaun De Souza, Jeff Madhake, Talent Gandiwa, Precious Pazani, Kuda Mutopo, Abbie Kawonza, Trevor Chapenga, Simba Danga, and my mentor, Walter Njowa, have played significant roles in my development.
Noel: That’s impressive! You’ve clearly come a long way. What are your career goals as a referee?
Tinotenda Madawu: My ultimate goal is to referee at the highest level in Africa and to achieve Level 3 referee status by 2028. I also aim to officiate at the Rugby Africa Cup by 2027. These are ambitious targets, but with hard work and dedication, I believe they are achievable.
Noel: That’s a great aspiration. Speaking of your journey, how have you found the talent of school rugby players in your season as a referee?
Tinotenda Madawu: The season has been incredibly exciting. I’ve witnessed a variety of players with different playing styles. It’s clear that coaches, schools, and sponsors are working tirelessly to develop the game. There’s a wealth of talent in both private and government schools. I strongly believe that government schools should be given more game time and I want to thank Kyros Sport and CBZ for sponsoring the CBZ development league. I encourage all government schools to invest more in all sports, especially rugby.
Noel: That’s a great point. Before we conclude, can you tell us if you played rugby in your school days and what achievements you had as a player?
Tinotenda Madawu: I started playing rugby in 2011 at George Stark High and participated in the Cotco Rugby Festival from 2011 to 2013 and the Dairy Board Rugby Festival from 2014 to 2015. In 2014, I was the Under-16 captain at George Stark, coached by Steven Hunduza. Unfortunately, my playing career was cut short due to a shoulder injury in 2017, which I never thought I would recover from.
Noel: That’s a remarkable story. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Tinotenda Madawu. It’s inspiring to see someone overcome adversity and achieve such great success. We encourage you to share this post with someone who might be interested in getting involved in rugby. Tinotenda Madawu’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication.”
Connect with Tinotenda Madawu:
- Facebook: Tinotenda Francis Madawu
- Email: tynoemadawutm7@gmail.com
