From The Bachelorette to the Northern Zone Squad: Jake Ryan Ep 20

In Episode 20 of the Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast, we sit down with Bay of Plenty referee Jake Ryan following his first selection to the Northern Zone Squad.Jake shares his refereeing journey, from picking up the whistle after his playing career ended to earning recognition at regional level. He talks about balancing rugby with life as a primary school teacher, father of two, and partner, while continuing to develop his craft and chase new opportunities in the game.We also dive into one of the more unusual stories in New Zealand refereeing when Jake reflects on his appearance on The Bachelorette New Zealand, what reality television is really like behind the scenes, and whether dealing with contestants or rugby players is the bigger challenge.Alongside the interview, the team discusses:- NPC opening round appointments and news.- Recent education sessions and referee development.- Whistler of the Week.- The usual Bay of Plenty referee banter.Whether you're a referee, player, coach or rugby fan, this episode offers an honest look at the challenges, opportunities and laughs that come with life in the middle.🎙️ Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify and your favourite podcast platform.#BayOfPlentyReferees #RugbyReferees #NZRugby #Refereeing #BayOfPlentyRugby #NPC #NorthernZone #Podcast #TheBacheloretteNZ #GrassrootsRugby