Welcome to the NSWRLRA

NSWRL Referees Association

20 hours 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 our 19th special profile on those who contributed to refereeing but didn’t quite make first grade

Today we recognise Scot Murray, graded member #956, whose dedication and achievements made a significant impact across the North Sydney Referees Association and NSW Rugby League Referees Association.

Scot’s refereeing journey began at North Sydney, where he received the Vince Smith Encouragement Award in 1998. He later became North Sydney’s leading A Grade referee in both 2008 and 2010, before earning selection to the NSW graded ranks in 2011.

Across his graded career, Scot officiated more than 100 matches as a referee and touch judge.

Scot’s 2013 Sydney Shield Grand Final appointment saw him control Belrose Eagles’ thrilling 30–26 victory over Wentworthville United.

He made his NSW Cup refereeing debut in Round 2 of 2015, controlling Canterbury-Bankstown against the New Zealand Warriors at Belmore Sports Ground. His final NSW Cup match as referee came in Round 7, when North Sydney hosted Wyong at North Sydney Oval.

Scot concluded his graded career later that season with another major appointment—the NSW Women’s Tier A Grand Final.

His service continued away from the field. Scot became Life Member #37 of the North Sydney Referees Association in 2013 and later served as a Level Two referee coach, appointments officer and member of several association committees.

He also worked with the NSWRLRA’s affiliate coaching program, supporting referee development across North Sydney, Manly-Warringah and Penrith and helping identify officials capable of progressing into representative pathways.

Scot Murray’s career demonstrates that an official does not need to reach NRL first grade to leave a lasting mark. His appointments, leadership, coaching and commitment to developing others represent an outstanding contribution to rugby league refereeing.

#BehindTheWhistle #ScotMurray #BeyondFirstGrade #NorthSydneyReferees #NSWRLRA #RugbyLeagueReferees ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

3 days ago

Continuing with our daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we recognise Darren Gocher, graded member #823, who progressed from the Cronulla Referees Association to become one of rugby league’s leading touch judges.

Darren’s journey through the refereeing ranks included appointments as both a referee and touch judge:

🔹 1993 Jersey Flegg Grand Final Referee
🔹 NSW Under-19s v Queensland in 1997
🔹 38 NSW Reserve Grade games as a referee
🔹 20 Super League Reserve Grade games as a referee
🔹 100 NRL first-grade games as a touch judge
🔹 Five State of Origin appointments
🔹 Three consecutive City v Country appointments
🔹 Two Test matches

Darren made his NRL touch judge debut in Round 16 of 2000, when the North Queensland Cowboys hosted the Newcastle Knights at Dairy Farmers Stadium. His final first-grade appointment came in Round 20 of 2004, between Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels at Olympic Park.

One notable appointment came in the opening match of the 2003 State of Origin series at Lang Park, where Darren and Pat Reynolds served as touch judges alongside referee Bill Harrigan.

His contribution to rugby league continued well beyond the touchline. Darren later served on the NSWRL Referees Association Board, including as Director of Finance, and developed an accomplished professional career as a Chartered Accountant and senior executive.

Darren is now the Chief Executive Officer of the Family of League Foundation and has also served as Chair of Wheelchair Rugby League Australia—continuing his lifelong commitment to supporting and strengthening the rugby league community.

From Cronulla’s refereeing pathways to the NRL, State of Origin and international football, Darren Gocher’s career represents dedication, consistency and outstanding service to the game.

#BehindTheWhistle #DarrenGocher #RugbyLeagueReferees #TouchJudge #CronullaReferees #NSWRLRA #NRL #StateOfOrigin #FamilyOfLeague ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

4 days ago

Continuing with our daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we celebrate the outstanding refereeing career of Paul Kalina, an Eastern Suburbs Referees Association product who enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than a decade at the highest level.

Graded as member #825, Paul established himself as a highly regarded touch judge, progressing through the refereeing ranks and earning appointments to some of the game's most important fixtures.

His early career was highlighted by several significant grand final appointments. In 1994, Paul was selected as a touch judge for both the Jersey Flegg and Harold Matthews Cup Grand Finals, followed by the Metro Cup Grand Final in 1995.

Paul made his first-grade touch judging debut in Round 21 of the 1996 season, when Illawarra hosted Penrith at Steelers Stadium.

Over the following decade, he went on to officiate in an impressive 172 first-grade matches as a touch judge.

Alongside his touch judging duties, Paul also built an extensive record as an in-goal judge, officiating in 63 first-grade matches between 1995 and 1998. His performances in this role earned him an appointment as an in-goal judge during the 1997 State of Origin series.

Paul's achievements continued into the 2000s, with another major appointment coming in 2002, when he was selected as a touch judge for the NSW Reserve Grade Grand Final.

He also became a regular presence during the NRL Finals, receiving appointments in three consecutive finals series in 2003, 2004 and 2005. These selections reflected the confidence placed in his ability to officiate in high-pressure matches at the business end of the season.

Paul's final first-grade touch judging appearance came in Round 26 of the 2006 season, when the Wests Tigers met the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Telstra Stadium, bringing to a close a decade-long career in first grade.

From junior representative grand finals in the early 1990s to State of Origin and NRL Finals, Paul enjoyed a successful and enduring career across several levels of rugby league.

His achievements remain an important part of the proud history of the Eastern Suburbs and NSW Referees Associations. ... See MoreSee Less