Welcome to the NSWRLRA

NSWRL Referees Association

20 minutes ago

Continuing with our new daily series: Behind the Whistle!
Each day, we’ll shine a spotlight on a referee or touch judge who has helped shape, serve and contribute to the great game of rugby league.

Today we feature Steve Carrall, one of the great touch judges of the modern rugby league era. Graded from the Illawarra Referees Association as official number #821, Steve built an outstanding career across all areas of elite officiating as a referee, touch judge and video referee.

While he refereed 2 first grade NRL matches, it was on the touchline where Steve truly made his mark, officiating in 380 first grade games as a touch judge. He was trusted on the biggest stages in the game, including 6 NRL Grand Finals in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014 and 2015, along with 15 State of Origin matches, 3 Test matches and 2 City v Country fixtures.

Steve also contributed as a video referee, with 23 first grade appointments in the box, showing his versatility and deep understanding of the game. H

Steve Carrall’s career represents longevity, excellence and trust at the highest level of rugby league officiating. A tremendous servant of the game and one of the finest touch judges to ever run the line.

Who will be featured tomorrow? Stay tuned!
#BehindTheWhistle #refereespotlight #nswrlra #rugbyleague #matchofficials #respecttheofficials #whistlewatch #RugbyLeagueHistory ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

1 hour ago

VALE BRADLEY FILMER

The Board of Directors and Management of the NSWRLRA are deeply saddened to mourn the sudden passing of Brad Filmer - son of Life Member and Director Peter Filmer OAM and his Mum Debbie.

Brad was a regular participant in NSWRLRA Golf and other social activities after a long active refereeing career with Penrith Referees Association. He was an extremely respected and popular person who excelled in all that he he turned his hand to including Cricket - where he was a Life Member of Springwood Cricket Club.

I share below a tribute from Penrith Referees on Brad's career and time with them.

We pass on our deep condolences to Peter and Debbie Filmer and family.
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It is with great sadness that our Association mourns the passing of one of our former members, Bradley Filmer.

Brad joined our Association in 2001, becoming member number 742. He demonstrated considerable ability and potential from the outset, and just a year later refereed the Under 13’s Division One Grand Final and was the recipient of the Reg Newsome Trophy as the Most Improved Junior Referee.

He continued as an active member for almost a decade and officiated in a number of Grand Final fixtures, including as an in-goal judge for the 2003 A Grade Division One Grand Final, and as the referee for the 2007 Under 15 Division 2 Grand Final, a game he shared with his brother Scott as one of the touch judges.
Brad always had that infectious smile and a positive outlook that rubbed off on those around him. He was modest, kind, and generous with his time, which he gave to a number of local sporting organisations, including ours.

Brad’s loss will be felt immensely, and we offer Peter, Deb, and the entire Filmer family our sincere condolences at this terribly difficult time.
All of our members will wear black armbands in all Penrith District Rugby League fixtures across the coming weekend as a tribute to Brad and his contribution to our Association and rugby league in our community. ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

1 day ago

Continuing with our new daily series: Behind the Whistle!
Each day, we’ll shine a spotlight on a referee or touch judge who has helped shape, serve and contribute to the great game of rugby league.

Today we feature Bill Finegan, was one of the early first-grade rugby league referees in New South Wales during the game’s formative years..

His first recorded premiership match was Newcastle v North Sydney on 24 April 1909 at the RAS Showground, with Newcastle winning 14–7. One of his biggest appointments came in the 1910 NSWRFL Final, when he refereed South Sydney v Newtown at the RAS Showground in front of about 14,000 people. The match finished 4–4, and Newtown were declared premiers because they remained ahead of South Sydney on the competition table.

Served on NSW Rugby League Referees’ Association Board of Directors for 1909–1912, placing him among the early administrators and officials of the Association. Bill Finegan was one of rugby league’s early trailblazing referees.

Who will be featured tomorrow? Stay tuned!
#BehindTheWhistle #refereespotlight #nswrlra #rugbyleague #matchofficials #respecttheofficials #whistlewatch #RugbyLeagueHistory ... See MoreSee Less