Ref has tough job in a silent world

Perhaps the finest tribute payable to Downie came recently from top New Zealand referee John Burton who, after combining with Downie in the North Shore-University game, said: “I enjoyed working with him. And if I didn’t know he couldn’t speak or hear beforehand, I mightn’t have picked it up.”

Downie was born with hearing, but a serious illness when he was 11 months old ended the faculty.

He lipreads well and can form words himself, occasionally with sound, but communication is primarily with his hands or, as in the case of this interview, on paper.

On court, he has no trouble making himself understood. Basketball refereeing language essentially is a combination of 27 hand signals which, as Burton discovered, “Peter uses better than most of us.”

“I guess it’s his way of answering the problem of no speech,” Burton said.

While admitting not being able to hear whistles and scorers’ electronic buzzers is a problem, Downie believes his inability to speak works to his advantage more often than not.

The pair of fights in the Ponsonby-Jolly Farmer match on February 18 is a classic example.

Downie simply blew his whistle, intervened to end each scuffle, then, using the effective pointed finger, ejected all four players from the game.

When any player verbally objected, Downie motioned in with an index finger sliding across his lips that he would remain silent, then he repeated the marching order with another firm, pointed finger.

Offending players had absolutely no recourse and Downie easily overcame a temptation referees face in having to bite their tongues to what might be instinctive reactions to abuse from players.

Downie has been involved in basketball for 19 years, playing five years initially in Auckland for the deaf society then for 14 years in Christchurch.

In 1978-79 he captained a New Zealand deaf team which lost — much to Downie’s embarrassment — 36-94 to Australia. He also coached the national deaf team from 1980 to 1983.

His refereeing has taken him to national division one women’s tournaments, South Island under-21 championships and national women’s club championships in the last five years.

His desire to officiate was not always clear. It took friends three years of subtle persuasion to convince him he could pass appropriate examinations. When he finally consented to try, it took him another three years before he was granted a badge.

Downie failed the written exam four times between 1973 and 1976 and was preparing to “flag away” his bid when it was decided to evaluate him solely on his practical proficiency. That was the only break required.

With a struggle now history, Downie is aiming to earn appointment for Countrywide national division one or two league games.

Can he make it? Burton refused to commit himself to that possibility, honestly mixing praise with pertinent apprehension.

“His mechanics are good,” Burton said. “He surprised me with how well he got his message across. Yet I also amazed me with his very quick reaction to my signals. I don’t know how he does that.”

“I wasn’t conscious of sound signals from the team and score benches, and on three or four occasions he didn’t hear them when it would have been important. Consequently I did slightly more in the game than I should have.”

“The biggest problem, though, is that a coach and court captain must have the right, particularly in critical situations, to communicate with both referees. And Peter’s limitation in communication could put pressure on the other official.”

Burton’s final comment, however, is the most noteworthy.

“He has my utmost admiration. The players have adjusted to Peter and accepted him completely — and no referee could ask for more.”