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NSWRL Referees Association

2 hours ago

Continuing with our new daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we celebrate Tom Glazebrook, graded member #175 of the NSW Rugby League Referees’ Association—a man who experienced first-grade rugby league as both a player and a match official.

Before taking up the whistle and touch judge’s flag, Glazebrook was a first-grade player for Eastern Suburbs. Playing primarily as a lock or forward, he made seven first-grade appearances during the 1918 season.

He also scored a first-grade try in Eastern Suburbs’ 20–15 victory over Newtown at the Agricultural Ground on 22 June 1918. His playing record also includes Eastern Suburbs’ 1909 Reserve Grade premiership season.

After his playing days, Glazebrook began a distinguished career with the NSW Rugby League Referees’ Association. Although best remembered as a touch judge, he also received appointments as a referee.

His 1925 refereeing appointments included Reserve Grade and the NSW versus Queensland Schools Third Interstate Test.

🚩 FIRST-GRADE TOUCH-JUDGING CAREER

Glazebrook officiated in 58 NSWRFL first-grade matches between 1925 and 1935.

His first first-grade appointment came in:

📅 Round 4, 1925
🏉 Newtown v University
📍 Marrickville Oval

His final first-grade appointment was:

📅 Round 17, 1935
🏉 Eastern Suburbs v South Sydney
📍 Sydney Cricket Ground

One surviving match record also lists Glazebrook as a touch judge for a South Sydney versus Eastern Suburbs premiership match in 1926—placing him on the touchline for a contest involving his former club.

🌏 REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENTS

Glazebrook’s career included several major representative honours:

• Australia v England Tests – 2 (1928)
• NSW v England tour match – 1 (1928)
• Interstate match – 1 (1930)
• Sydney Combined v Country Combined – 2 (1933 and 1934)

From representing Eastern Suburbs as a first-grade player to officiating Test and representative rugby league, Tom Glazebrook enjoyed a remarkable connection with the game.

His career is a wonderful reminder that many officials brought valuable playing experience with them when they exchanged the football for a whistle or touch judge’s flag. ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

16 hours ago

From Warrimoo Oval to the Rugby League World Cup Final!

In 1997, a young Grant Atkins took control of his first game of junior rugby league at Warrimoo Oval in the Blue Mountains.

This Sunday, he will walk out onto Suncorp Stadium as the referee for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand.

He also becomes the first official ever to be appointed as both a referee and touch judge for a World Cup Final, having been on the touch line for this fixture at Old Trafford 13 years ago.

On behalf of the entire Penrith District Rugby League Referees’ Association, we congratulate Grant on this incredible achievement and wish him all the best for Sunday’s game. ... See MoreSee Less