Welcome to the NSWRLRA

NSWRL Referees Association

20 hours ago

Continuing with our new daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we recognise Edward James “Ted” Hooper, one of the true founding figures of rugby league officiating in Australia. Born in Kent, England in 1871, Hooper moved to Australia and first made his name as a rugby player, representing clubs including Surry Hills, Eastern Suburbs and Sydney. After retiring from playing, he turned to refereeing and became one of the most important figures in the birth of rugby league in Australia.

In 1907, as the new rugby league code was forming, Hooper helped lead a small group of eight men who became Australia’s first rugby league referees. On 28 August 1907, he was appointed the first president of the Rugby League Referees’ Association, a role he held until 1912.

One of the most remarkable parts of Hooper’s story is that when the NSWRFL offered to pay referees and Touch Judges, Hooper argued that they should not accept payment. Instead, the money should go back into helping the new game survive. Even more incredibly, referees and Touch Judges agreed to donate money from their own pockets for every match they controlled.

On 20 April 1908, Hooper refereed the first rugby league game played under Northern Union rules in Sydney, with Eastern Suburbs defeating Newtown 32–16 at Wentworth Park. Just weeks later, he became the first official to referee a representative rugby league match in Australasia when NSW played the touring New Zealand side.

His commitment and fitness were also legendary. On 4 July 1908, Hooper refereed two first grade games on the same day — Newtown vs North Sydney at 2pm, followed by Balmain vs Glebe at 3:15pm.

His final moments were fittingly connected to rugby league. In 1925, while in Brisbane with the NSW team, Hooper refereed a novelty match between Brisbane and Ipswich referees at half-time of an interstate game. After leaving the field to applause from the crowd, he collapsed in the dressing room and passed away, aged 54.
A player, referee, administrator, selector and pioneer — Ted Hooper was more than an official. He helped build rugby league refereeing from the very beginning. ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

2 days ago

A monumental feat tonight in the NRL when Ash Klein becomes the game's record holder. He will referee his 444th NRL match. All the best Ash! ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

2 days 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 4th special profile on those who contributed to refereeing but didn’t quite make first grade. Today we recognise Josh McGowan, a proud product of the Central Coast Referees Association and graded official #968.

Josh’s career is a great example of an official making a strong impact across the pathways and representative levels of rugby league. While he did not officiate first grade, his contribution across NRLW, NSW Cup, NYC and international women’s rugby league shows the important role officials play beyond the NRL spotlight.

Josh worked as both a referee and touch judge, including NRLW appointments, NSW Cup games, and a significant body of work in the NYC Under 20s competition. One of his major highlights came in 2018, when he was appointed as a touch judge for the inaugural NRLW Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.

He was also involved in women’s international rugby league, including the 2016 Australia vs New Zealand women’s Test, and built a strong record across NSW Cup and NYC appointments.

Josh’s officiating journey reflects consistency, versatility and service — from refereeing in the middle to running the touchline, and from state competitions to major women’s rugby league fixtures.

A Central Coast official, an NRLW Grand Final touch judge, and another important contributor who helped keep the game moving.

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