Bestmed Medical Scheme, South Africa’s largest self-administered medical scheme, is happy to announce the renewal of its partnership with the Golden Lions Rugby Referees’ Society (GLRRS) for the 2024 season. This partnership, initiated in 2022, plays a pivotal role in supporting local rugby referees and maintaining the sport’s integrity.
Extension
The extension of this collaboration for another year underscores the shared commitment of both organisations to enhance rugby development in South Africa. Karen Pienaar, Sponsorship and CSI Specialist at Bestmed, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud to continue our support for the Golden Lions Rugby Referees’ Society, uniting communities and making a meaningful impact.”
The GLRRS, under the chairmanship of Pro Legoete, has been at the forefront of ensuring the highest standards of refereeing in South African rugby. Legoete emphasised the importance of stakeholders’ support in maintaining the integrity of local rugby. He stated, “This partnership contributes to the growth of all facets of the sport, and with Bestmed’s involvement, the world-class standard of refereeing at the GLRRS can improve even further.”
Campaign
Bestmed and the GLRRS launched the #BestRef campaign at a special event, aiming to recruit and enhance the engagement of referees. They introduced the Bestmed Golden Lions Rugby Referees’ Centre of Excellence, offering resources like dedicated coaches, nutritional guidance, fitness programmes, mental skills training, skills development, and communication training to improve referees’ well-being and performance.
This comprehensive campaign underscores the shared commitment of Bestmed and GLRRS to community support, guidance and engagement. Bestmed will retain its role as the title sponsor of the GLRRS, ensuring that referees can fulfil their vital roles effectively. The renewed partnership underscores the commitment to enhance the quality of refereeing further while promoting fair play within the sport.
Both Bestmed and the GLRRS are excited about the opportunities the future holds, and remain committed to growing and succeeding both on and off the field. The launch event and the subsequent campaign mark a significant step towards the continued development and success of South African rugby referees.