Jamie Bloem told Boots 'n' All how he is relishing his unlikely new role as a rugby league touch judge!
Bloem relishing new role as poacher turns gamekeeper
Jamie Bloem was well-known to match officials in his time in Super League. But now he is aiming to become one.
The former Halifax, Huddersfield and Castleford hardman had plenty of run-ins during his career and even served a two-year ban for failing a drugs test.
It is not the sort of disciplinary record you would associate with implementing the rules of the game, but the former South African international has re-invented himself on the right side of the law - as a touch judge.
Bloem is currently running the line at in the Championship and referees regularly in the Conference in what is the unlikeliest case of poacher-turned-gamekeeper you are likely to see.
And while plenty of ex-professionals insist you can never replace the high of playing, he is proof that life does not end when you hang the boots up - no matter what your past.
"I was summarising on local radio and the referee was having a bit of a nightmare and I was quite openly saying he was," Bloem told
Boots 'n' All.
"Stuart Cummings (RFL match officials director) gave me a call and said if you think you can do better come and do the course - and I did. To be honest I absolutely loved it.
"I got put on a few games and it just carried on from there. It was a case of putting my money where my mouth is and to be honest I don't know why more ex-pros don't do it because it's an absolutely exhilarating experience.
"You're part of the game, you're part of younger people coming through to the game - and that can only be good for our game."
As RFL match officials coach Ian Smith pointed out, the door has always been open to former players to pick up the whistle or flag once their careers come to an end.
But Bloem is a rare breed; one who has crossed the white line to the other side.
In just three years he has made a name for himself and was recently picked to officiate the Nordic Cup clash between Sweden and Norway in Gothenburg.
The unlikely venue was a fitting backdrop to the highlight of his officiating career to date, but the man himself says he is more than happy helping the game develop, both on a global and individual scale.
And just as he did as a player, he is holding nothing back.
Today it might be the Championship touchline, tomorrow as far as he is concerned, he could be the one keeping control in the heat of Super League battle.
"I'm not a person who takes things lightly and if I put my mind to something, I really want to do it," he said.
"I'm here for the long-haul, I'm here to do a good job and be part of a team on the field that helps the players."
Super League stars of tomorrow... you have been warned!
