Teaching and Refereeing: A Winning Combination – Alumni Stories, Gerry Kershaw

Gerry Kershaw upon his retirement as a referee in 1994

Not many people take up refereeing at 16 years old. Fewer sacrifice playing a sport in college to pursue officiating. And even fewer stay with refereeing for 58 years in one capacity or another. Gerry Kershaw (St. John’s College 1962-65) finished the 2017 season last Saturday. He was match commissioner in Toulouse for the final of the Kingstone Press Championship Shield against Sheffield Eagles.

Growing up just 400 yards from Oldham’s Rugby League ground, Gerry was encouraged to take an interest in refereeing from P.E. teacher Sam Shepherd, also a St. John’s alumnus. Passing the refereeing exam at 16, Gerry began by refereeing boys’ games for a couple of years then moved to the men’s game aged 18 and upgrading to referee grade 5 at 19.

The meteoric rise continued, and Gerry was appointed referee grade 1 for the 1970-71 season. His 25 years as a grade 1 referee is still a record in the sport.  His matches included internationals, a John Player Trophy Final in 1974, a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in 1981, many County games, and 222 Championship League and Cup matches. The Rugby Football League mandated that referees must retire at age 50, so Gerry did that. But he wasn’t finished yet – not by a long way!

Since referee retirement Gerry has worked for the Rugby Football League as a referee coach, video official, match commissioner, and the supervisor for 25 match commissioners.

During 39 of those officiating years, Gerry’s day job was at Easingwold School initially as a P.E. teacher, then a part P.E. Teacher – part Youth Teacher, then Head of Middle School, and lastly Head of Upper School for the last 12 years.

Gerry Kershaw is one of the few people who have two concurrent and highly successful careers at the top of their respective professions.