
Flip matrikuleer in 1968 en in sy matriek jaar is hy op die leerlingraad, speel waterpolo vir die NTvl skolespan en die NTvl Junior span teen Nederland en swem ook vir die NTvl skolespan. Hy ontvang erekleure vir Waterpolo. Hy speel vir die 2e span rugby in 1968 en is die kaptein. Op die foto is Flip in die middel langs die afrigter.
Na skool was hy vir ‘n rukkie op Tuks maar sy groot belangstelling was eintlik branderplank ry en het hy eerder gaan branderplank ry in Durban. Flip het geleer ry in die Kaap en Durban gedurende skool vakansies. Sy ouers was 6 maande in die Kaap en ‘n maand in Durban elke jaar. In September 1970 vat hy die pad Australië toe om te gaan branderplank ry.
Hy het in Australië rugby gespeel maar op ‘n lae vlak en niks ernstig nie. Flip is in 1973 met Linda getroud. Hulle was 31 jaar getroud en vir die laaste 11 jaar is Flip ‘n wewenaar. Hulle het 3 kinders en ook 6 kleinkinders wat almal seuns is.
In 1979 het sy vrou vir hom ‘n ultimatum gestel om een van die sportsoorte wat hy beoefen te los. Hy het op daardie stadium rugby, golf, kompetisie muurbal gespeel en branderplank gery. Buiten werk het hy ook buitemuurs gestudeer by MacQuarie Universiteit waar hy uiteindelik ‘n MA graad in Ekonomie & Geskiedenis behaal het.
In 1979 het Dick Byres ‘n Australiese toets skeidsregter vir hom gesê dat hy ‘n beter skeidsregter as speler sou wees en daarop moet konsentreer. Daar het alles begin en na ‘n paar jaar se harde werk as skeidsregter word hy in 1984 na NZ gestuur om ondervinding daar te kry as skeidsregter en het daarna gereeld in NZ gaan blaas. In 1987 het hy as neutrale skeidsregter saam met ‘n NZ 15 na Tonga, en Fiji getoer. Een van die hoogtepunte as skeidsregter was in 1989 toe hy die wedstryd tussen die Britse & Ierse Leeus en Australië B gehanteer het.
Gedurende sy loopbaan as skeidsregters het Flip n reputasie gekry as ‘n “After Dinner Speaker”. Hy het onder andere opgetree as gasspreker by ‘n ete van die Nieu Suid Wallis parlement.
Hierna volg ‘n penskets van Flip wat in die program verskyn het by een van die dinees waar hy as gasspreker opgetree het.
Flip was born in Pretoria, South Africa during the later middle part of the previous century. Had the good fortune to have a father who was mad about rugby and devious sense of humour, both of these rubbed off.
Attended one of the nurseries of South African sport, and particularly rugby, Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (i.e. Boys High) across the road from the famous Loftus Versfeld. Regrettably this pedigree of famous rugbyness did not rub off too greatly and Flip remained to enjoy the game from the 2nd team level. However this did instil into him and exceptional understanding of the game from an authoritative player level. Consequently he struggled with referees throughout his playing career and continues to do so now as a spectator. Was twice removed from the sideline as spectator by an incompetent referee, and an umpire at a netball game.
Represented the province,(then Northern Transvaal) at both swimming and waterpolo, at schoolboy level.
Arrived in Australia in 1970 to watch the ill-fated tour of the Springboks in 1971 and ride his surfboard, the latter still a passion.
Late in 1972 married the lovely Linda (d.2003), and was then forced to stay notwithstanding later requests by players of losing sides to have his visa revoked.
Retired from playing sub district rugby in 1979, for health reasons (referees were making him sick by spoiling a good game, and being sent off for insubordination), and on the recommendation of one of these men of wisdom, he undertook the task to become a referee.
From 1980 to 2003 he refereed close to 700 matches including 200 at first grade level in Sydney, 26 provincial and international matches.
Refereed in such exotic places as Tonga, Fiji, France, England, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Tamworth, Gulargambone, NZ (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Horowhenua)
Highlights, to name but a few, include grand Finals in Sydney, Lions v Australia B, final of the Hong Kong 7’s, Japan v Korea, NZ15 v Fiji, NZ15 v Tonga, North Harbour Maori’s v South Harbour Maori’s, Australia v All Black (Seniors) and numerous Barbarian Games, the David Campese Testimonial, etc.
Was made full member of the Barbarians Rugby Club and awarded the Australian Sports Medal for services to rugby in 2000
Retired from active refereeing in 2003, now concentrating on riding his surfboard in remote locations such as Queenscliff, Mid Steyne, Snapper Rocks, Noosa, Crescent Head, the Maldives, North Sumatra and Lombok.
Best remembered for the comment to a player when questioned with regard to the reason for being penalised… “Loitering with intent …. Law 26 Misconduct, covers anything and everything….”
Flip se passie vir branderplank ry het hom in kontak gebring met die Eerste Minister van Australie (Tony Abbott) en hulle ry gereeld saam branders in Australië.
Op die foto hieronder is Flip op sy branderplank wat hom na Australië toe gevat het.