Emerging referee Tyler Miller is one of the most promising talents coming through the refereeing ranks, rewarded with selection at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In partnership with FedEx, who are the Official Referee Partners of Super Rugby and Rugby Australia, Miller sat down with Rugbycomau to talk about her rise, Olympic experience and refereeing whilst balancing her Psychology degree.
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So firstly, how did you get involved in refereeing?
I was 12 when I started and back then there was no rugby for girls to play after the age of 12. So I just started refereeing. And that was it. I remember standing on the sidelines as an AR (Assistant Referee) for two seasons before I actually got in the middle. I was probably about 14 before I refereed my first game.
Is that first game your favourite memory of the referee? Or what sort of stands out for you?
Oh, there's so many. Well, I think AR definitely has a special place, I really enjoy being an AR so I have a few memories of some special games that I've been involved with on the sideline, but also obviously in the middle. There are quite a few memorable ones as well, it'd be hard to pick one.
I think (AR) is quite a niche thing. I think being a good AR isn’t easy, and it's a good way to expand your range as a referee. I think it can add a lot on the field and add value to the game.
As an AR, what are you looking for not only during a game but before to prepare yourself?
I think really, it depends based on what the referee is looking for, because they'll have different focus points for you. So it's really just about supporting them and adding value to their game and making sure that they are supported and that you can do everything that you've got to do properly.
Talking about refereeing as a whole, what do you find the most fulfilling aspect of the role?
Personally, I just think it's so dynamic, going to the game, everything is different. So, although you got to get the basics down part, you never know what’s going to happen in the game. So I think that aspect is really exciting and challenging and keeps things fresh.
Rugby Australia is proud to be in partnership with FedEx as the Official Referee Partner of the Super Rugby competition, how has Rugby Australia’s referee program provided you opportunities or moments that you might not have got if you were able to continue as a player?
The pathway now for referees is pretty versatile, whether or not you start out at Club Rugby, and then choose to go Sevens, 15’s or a bit of both, there’s just so many options. I think obviously having the support from Rugby Australia and the local Associations and sponsors like FedEx does add to those opportunities and furthers that potential for people to have careers in the sport.
One of those big potential opportunities is going to Olympics, like you recently experienced, what are your memories of Tokyo?
When I first got selected to the World Series for the 2018-19 season, it was on the radar then that it was something that I might be in contention for and it just seemed so surreal to actually be selected for it.
Obviously, the build-up with the Games being postponed and then actually going ahead, even now thinking about it is still so surreal that not only I was given the opportunity, but it actually happened and we were there.
The Games themselves, I know it was different to every other Olympics, and there's probably not going to be one like it. I just think it was so unique, you know, being able to hear everything that was happening in the field, being able to really immerse yourself in the game and what is going on. I think it's never gonna happen again. So it was very surreal.
I wasn't involved in the gold medal match but being on the sideline after the medal ceremony and watching the ceremony, the Haka, and the whole ambience of that (was special). You see it on TV and in that sense, it's amazing, but actually being there in person was pretty breathtaking.
When you look at the Olympics coming up, you look at 2032 and a home Olympics, is that something which you pinpoint as something you want to be involved in 11 years from now?
Yeah, I mean, if I'm still going strong, why not? But, I mean, that is a long way off so it's not really even on my radar. The idea of it is amazing but there's still a lot to get through before we get to that point.
Even when we get to referee at the Sydney Sevens, that in itself is amazing. I know, Amy Perrett got a really special milestone in Sydney, the last time we were there (in 2020) and having that milestone with their family in Australia, amazing, that's all you can wish for. So I hope a few more people get to experience that in Brisbane and I'm sure it's going to be amazing.
Having events like the Sydney Sevens and then potentially a home World Cup in 2017, what do you think that the advantages as a referee of having these big games and big moments on home soil leading up to 2032?
Whether or not it's in Australia or anywhere in the world, you just have to adapt to the game itself. But, it’s the little creature comforts of being at home, finding the coffee shops that you like, having the food that you're used to, or just all those little things. Any country in the world that you travelled to is different so you do have to adapt to those things so those little creature comforts and not having to change anything really, because you're in your home country, can add to your experience.
Having come through the ranks, do you have any advice that you would give to any aspiring referee that you wish you had coming through the system as they try to take that next step?
I think just enjoy every game and every experience for what it is, don't get too caught up in, ‘oh, my God, this is a Grand Final game’, enjoy the game for what it is. Enjoy the experience, don't get too caught up in at all and get lost in what's happening, because it can be hard then to relate to the game itself and what's going on.
Particularly at the Olympics, just enjoying the Games for being there and having the experience. I think taking that pressure off yourself of what the bigger picture is can help to deliver the performance that everyone wants.
Taking a step away from the bigger picture for you personally, Where does your focus lie both on and off the field in the coming months?
Honestly, I just need to get stuck into a bit of Uni. Rugby wise, there's not a whole lot going on, we've got our local season coming to an end, we won't be doing many Sevens in the short term, just because of quarantine restrictions and travel restrictions and stuff like that.
I think it's just trying to stay connected as much as we can to whatever we can and whether or not we do some local tournaments like Darwin Sevens would be amazing. But otherwise, just getting stuck back into normal life and trying to make the most of the opportunities.
Touching on heading back to Uni, you’re studying Psychology at the moment, how does that translate onto the football field
Absolutely. I've learned a lot through my degree that I just find so applicable, but I also just have a general interest in it. Having that mental aspect away from the game is beneficial because it gives you something else to do and keeps you busy. It does add value to reffing as well.
I would say it's more being able to sort your headspace on the field and picking and choosing your mindset and what actually going on, bigger picture things, not really the micro decision to decision, but being able to clear your head or understand what's happening in terms of trends and stuff like that. I found that's really helped with that.
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How do you go about finding that balance between Uni and refereeing?
I've actually been really lucky UWA (Uni of Western Australia) is really supportive of me with Rugby, so they understand, obviously all that I'm trying to achieve, and they'll do whatever they can to support me with those aspects. But, you know, there is only so much that they can do so it is about sacrifice sometimes. That's fine because I've got goals, and sometimes you do have to sacrifice to be able to achieve (it) so it's just finding that balance between not burning yourself out with either or the other, but still giving it as much as you can.
Heading into the future, what have you set out for where you want to be heading in the future both as a referee and in your studies?
Referee wise, I just want to be involved as long as I'm happy to still be involved and they want me around, and I'm still performing. Study wise, I don't really want to put pressure on myself to have to graduate at a certain point, because I am just taking my time with it and how it fits with Rugby, and whether I can slow or speed things up. I want to graduate sooner rather than later but I also would like to achieve a few more things with Rugby.
Obviously, I love the Sevens and that's what my main focus is at the moment but I also love watching Super Rugby and being involved when I can but I'm not really going to get caught up in whether or not I am or not involved. Whatever opportunity I get, I just want to make the most of it. So if that's what they want, for me, amazing, I'll do it. If it's Sevens amazing. I'll do that as well. Whatever comes I'll just enjoy it and make the most of it for what it is.
