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David began his playing career with the Florida State University RFC in the fall of 1980 as a prop. After college he played with the Miami Tridents and a move to NYC found him with the Manhattan RFC. Eventually age caught up with him and he joined the prestigious Les Vieux (The Ancient) Old Boys team of the MRFC. A lack of referees for old boys caused him to learn the art so there would always be someone to pick up the whistle for a half of so. A replaced hip meant probably less tackling would be a good idea and a full time ref was born out of a new hip. Starting as a prop, he eventually found his way back to second row and at various times has played every position in a game except fullback, yes, that includes wing and scrumhalf for an old boy Clydesdale 7s team. He cites the CanAm Tournament in Lake Placid as one of the best rugby weekends ever. As president the goals are continue to expand the leadership of the RRSNY, expand our ranks, provide leadership to an excellent group of RRSNY officers and continue to improve the RRSNY into one of the premier US ref societies.
Vice President: Rob Gilmore
Born in Manhattan and raised in Westchester, Rob is a New Yorker through-and-through. He has referee experience in baseball, softball, golf, volleyball, competitive kickball, and American football as well as 4 years of actively officiating Rugby Union. Most of his prior competitive athletic experience is in American football having played both defensive linebacker and offensive center in high school and inside linebacker and nickleback for the 1st Cavalry Division team during his Army days. Rob didn’t play rugby until he was in his 40’s, but has loved playing 1, 2 or 3 at any chance he has had since. Rob became certified as a 200 level rugby coach and was an assistant coach under both Chris Dahlem and for a short time Sebastian Cray at Manhattanville and again under Chris Dahlem for two years at White Plains RFC. He then came back to coach Manhattanville’s Women’s side for two years and recently saw them elevated to Varsity status. In 2014 while playing in an alumni match at Manhattanville, the late great RRSNY referee Carl “Mr. Happy” Maresca mentioned to Rob that he might want to become a rugby referee, as did RRSNY referee Jerry Esposito at the same event a year later. To this day Rob completely denies knowing what could have prompted those comments, but is grateful for them nonetheless. In the coming months Rob hopes that we can all get back on the pitch as he looks to help finalize, distribute and implement a Code of Conduct for the RRSNY and to help develop some of its future goals and aspirations.
Treasurer: Brian Auerbach
Brian lives in New York. He has been a referee since 2012. Brian played rugby for 20 years in his younger days, and was either Prop or Flanker. He is passionate about spreading the spirit of the game. As Treasurer of the RRSNY for 2021, he is working to enhance our operating systems and to grow the society in the Metro NY area.
Secretary: Ian Hughson
Ian is a Zimbabwean-born but naturalized Australian citizen with a US Green Card living in Westchester, NY. He has been a referee since 2013, earning his Officiating qualification in Singapore. He played rugby from age 12 to 22, graduating from Lock to Number 8 to finally Blindside Flanker. His three most admired players of all time are those that inspired him to love the game and always push it to the limits; Serge Blanco, Joost van der Westhuizen, and Richie McCaw. As Secretary of the RRSNY in 2021, he is looking to strengthen the bonds of the Society, bring greater awareness of the Society’s presence and activities through social media outlets, and attract a diverse range of new referees to the fold, while keeping the appropriate levels of operating governance in place.
Match Secretary: Camille Juzwik
Camille is a Polish-Canadian living in Hoboken, NJ. She has been refereeing since 2011, and completed her IRB Level 2 Officiating Program in 2017. Camille played rugby from age 13 into her mid-20s, playing with the Ottawa Irish Rugby Club, University of Ottawa, and McGill University as second row and flanker. Camille is a big supporter of women in rugby, and in turn admires Canadian referees Joyce Henry, Rose Labreche, and Andrew McMaster, each a pioneer in their own way in not only the development and promotion of rugby, but also that of women in rugby. As Match Secretary of RRSNY, Camille is looking forward to her role behind the scenes, keeping rugby moving forward by providing every match with a skilled, and always developing, RRSNY referee. Unrelated, Camille enjoys long walks and cuddly animals, and is always keen to do activities.
Development: Mark Kenny
Mark was born and raised in NJ and currently lives in Bergen County. After succeeding in sports as varied as track, springboard diving and fencing, he tried his hand at rugby at Seton Hall University on its inaugural team in 1971. He remained an active player mostly with the Morris RFC in the backfield until he retired from play at age 45. Two years stalking sidelines with a cigar in hand as chief alikadoo was enough and he decided that being a referee sounded like a way to be more engaged in the game. His ref career took him across the country on exchanges and several trips to Scotland and England on exchange were terrific growth experiences which sharpened his skills in the middle. He has admitted that regardless of the number of matches he played, that he did not come to have a complete understanding of the game of Rugby Union until becoming a referee. He also learned what those big slow guys were doing in the scrum.
While retired from active refereeing, he remains a coach and educator. As Referee Development officer he plans to offer active referees of every level coaching, mentorship and guidance through the top quality team of coaches attached to the RRSNY.
