Roger Vanderfield

Ian Roger Vanderfield AO OBE (1928 – 25 September 2008) was an Australian doctor, and a rugby union referee and administrator. Vanderfield refereed over 1200 games, including 32 test matches and internationals. He was the Chief Medical Superintendent of Northern Sydney Area Health Service.

Vanderfield co-wrote the centenary history of Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital. He was also the hospital's Honorary Archivist.

As chairman of the International Rugby Board Vanderfield was instrumental in establishing the first Rugby World Cup.

Honours

Vanderfield was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1976 New Year Honours, "or services to medicine and sport".

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2006 Australia Day Honours for service to the community through the delivery of health care services at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and to Rugby Union football.

Vanderfield was elected a life member of numerous Rugby bodies.

The Vanderfield Building at Royal North Shore Hospital is named after him.

Trophy donor The B.A.R Trophy was presented by three leading Sydney rugby union referees, H.B.(Bernie) Freeman, A.T.(Arthur) Tierney and I.R.(Roger) Vanderfield, who travelled to Canberra regularly during the 1950s to conduct examinations for referees. The trophy is an engraved pewter mug presented each year to the most improved referee of the Australian Capital Territory Rugby Referees Association. The award is intended to encourage ACT referees to better themselves and to express the gratitude of the donors for the hospitality and friendship extended to them by the members.