Stalwart blows full time on refereeing
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au
RUGBY LEAGUE:
A stalwart of 40 years, Ian McGill has called full-time on his career with the Toowoomba Rugby League Referees Association.
Like many referees, McGill enjoyed playing rugby league, before an incident put a premature end to those days, leading him to a new facet of the game.
“I had a car accident back in 1979 around Christmas time and smashed my kneecap. The doctor said no more contact sport,” he said.
“I was pretty friendly with some of the referees, and they said why don’t you come down and give it a go.
“I started as a touch judge in 1980. In those days they had seminars at Tallebudgera where I sat for my exam.”
As well as being an active referee over the years, McGill has enjoyed a long period of serving on the executive committee, including stints as secretary and treasurer, and most recently as president over the last three seasons.
It’s seen him inducted as a life member of the TRLRA and an honorary life member of their Ipswich counterparts.
McGill said the family-like atmosphere has kept him involved for so long, and was thankful for the chance to go out with one last game.
“I’ve always enjoyed the comradeship and the support,” he said.
“This was always going to be my last year as president and to hang up this whistle. I’m not going to walk away completely from the association. I’ll still help with mentoring match officials.
“When I first joined, my wife Kerry and three daughters would always come to the football to sit on the hill and watch.
“One good thing is that everywhere I went, I always got support from the clubs.”
TJRL president Dan Aldons was on hand at Highfields for McGill’s final game as a referee, and paid tribute to his dedication over the years.
“I went out and watched his last game, and to spend 40 years doing anything is a massive effort, let alone being in the centre,” Aldons said.
“His commitment to community sport has been outstanding and the TJRL was more than happy to acknowledge that and thank him for his efforts over the years. “We all know how hard it is to get volunteers for one season, let along 40. It speaks to the calibre of the person.
“To keep turning up year after year is impressive, and its an inspiration to our younger referees that you can have a long career as a referee if you want to.”