NRL referees on hand to guide future officials
RUGBY LEAGUE: The future generation of Toowoomba referees were given a first-hand guide to where they can end up in the sport at the weekend.
NRL referees Henry Perenara and Chris Butler, in town for last Sunday’s NRL game between the Gold Coast and St George Illawarra, were joined by fellow top-grader Gavin Reynolds as they made a special appearance at a level one rugby league referee’s course.
A total of 28 prospective referees attended the course, as the local Toowoomba Rugby League looks to bolster its number of officials.
NRL referee development officer Glen Richardson said having the experienced whistle-blowers on hand served to inspire the young up and comers.
“The biggest benefit is to show there is a pathway available to aspiring referees,” Richardson said.
“It shows the elite referees are interested in what happens at the grassroots level of the game. Sometimes people think there is no buy-in, but they are interested in what is happening.
“They all start out in junior leagues before progressing to the top level.
“They were excited to meet the NRL referees. Although they started off a little quiet, they had plenty of questions.
“They were interested in the process of what it takes to become an NRL referee, what it is like at the top level, and interacting with stars of the game.”
Richardson said the door was always open for boys, girls, men and women of all ages to become a referee, and just because they play the game doesn’t mean they can’t come along.
“We are seeking those people that love the game and want to be involved. We can provide skills and training, but what we can’t provide is personal passion and personal drive to be involved in the game,” he said.
“It’s not something we can teach but something they bring.
“People don’t need to make a choice between playing and refereeing. They can do both at same time, and it provides another avenue to be involved in rugby league.”