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Clive Norling

b. 1950

Welsh rugby union referee

Rugby union player Rugby union match official
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About Clive Norling

Born 1950. Clive Norling is a rugby union player and rugby union match official.

Clive Norling (born 5 April 1950) is a former Welsh international rugby union referee. Norling was, when officiating, one of the world's most experienced referees. He refereed in a then-record 35 international tests prior to his retirement in 1992. This included the quarter final, Fiji v France, of the inaugural Rugby World Cup. In 1998, he took over as the Welsh Director of Refereeing, a post he held until resigning in June 2003.

Off the field, in 1974 Norling completed a BA Degree in Business Studies at Portsmouth Polytechnic. He then added to that qualification in 1996 by obtaining a MSc degree in Small Business and Entrepreneurship from Stirling University. He taught at the Swansea Institute of Higher Education, from 1986 to 1998. Unfortunately in 2004, he succumbed to a crippling clinical depression, which left him feeling suicidal. The depression continued until 2011. Norling credits his wife, Mair, and BBC reporter Phil Steele for helping him recover. His recovery was completed when he achieved a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Cardiff University in 2014. His research thesis was based on 'Strategic Management in Non-Profit Organisations'. In his retirement he has been the president of Birchgrove RFC since 2012, and enjoys singing with the Pontarddulais Male Choir. He has no interest in the professional rugby union game.

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Important facts

Born
1950, Neath
Birth century
Education
Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School

People in Clive Norling's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Clive Norling's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Clive Norling?

Welsh rugby union referee

When was Clive Norling born?

Clive Norling was born in 1950 in Neath.

What is Clive Norling's occupation?

Clive Norling is a rugby union player and rugby union match official.

Sources & further reading

Β· Wikipedia: Clive Norling

Β· Wikidata: Q5134640

Β· DBpedia: Clive Norling

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Clive Norling. https://biography.guide/clive-norling/

MLA: "Clive Norling." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/clive-norling/.

Chicago: "Clive Norling." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/clive-norling/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 Β· Spot an error? Report a correction.

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