One of Bermuda's senior rugby referee's has once again been named as the top-rated official in the West Indies Rugby Association, writes Stephen Wright.

John Weale received the accolade from the association's panel of referee's at the recent North America and West Indies Rugby Association's (NAWIRA) seven-a-side championships in Nassau, Bahamas.

Eleven of the region's top referees from various Caribbean nations, including Cayman, Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, US and Canada, were rated on their officiating at the tournament.

Selection for the referee of the tournament's final was based upon the rating, and for the second year in a row, Weale was chosen.

Weale said: "I am obviously honoured and delighted with achieving this ranking again. Before the tournament, I did not expect to repeat the excitement of refereeing the final again, and was very surprised.

"It is also gratifying for me personally, and for Bermuda rugby generally, that between my mentor and friend, Dennis Dwyer, and myself, Bermuda rugby has had the top-ranked rugby referee in the region for over 10 years."

Weale first achieved the number one ranking at the regional qualifying tournament for Rugby Sevens World Cup back in June 2004. He has lived in Bermuda since 1983 and has been refereeing since 1996. He regularly officiates at the World Rugby Classic as well as numerous international tournaments in North America and the West Indies.