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NSWRL Referees Association

2 hours ago

Continuing with our daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we remember Bruce Buckingham, a referee and first-grade touch judge who made an outstanding contribution to the Manly-Warringah Referees Association and the NSW Rugby League Referees’ Association.

Bruce began refereeing with Manly in 1955 and was elevated to the NSW graded ranks the following year, becoming graded member #493.

Bruce officiated in 42 first-grade matches as a touch judge between 1957 and 1964.

His first first-grade appointment came in:
📅 Round 6, 1957
🏉 Manly v South Sydney
📍 Brookvale Oval

His final first-grade appointment was:
📅 Round 8, 1964
🏉 Canterbury v Western Suburbs
📍 Belmore Oval

Bruce’s career included three significant representative appointments:
• Australia v New Zealand Test Match – 1963
• City v Country – Two appointments

The highlight came in 1963 when Bruce and Colin Schomberg were appointed as touch judges for the Australia versus New Zealand Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Jack Bradley controlling the match.

Bruce’s contribution to refereeing continued well beyond his active career. Following his retirement, he was successfully leading the Manly association and helping conduct its referee coaching classes. His service was later recognised with Life Membership of the Manly-Warringah Referees Association.

Bruce was also heavily involved with South Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club. He joined the club as a 17-year-old in 1947 and became a Life Member in 1967. During the 1970s and 1980s, Bruce regularly transported surfboats, juniors and cadets to Australian championships across the country—including trips to Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Away from sport, Bruce was a respected master builder. In later years, he and his wife Betty enjoyed travelling around Australia in their caravan, with Bruce becoming well known for his stories about rugby league, South Curl Curl and surfboat rowing.

Bruce passed away on 5 June 2021, aged 94.

His story represents a lifetime of service—to rugby league, refereeing, surf lifesaving and his local community. ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

1 day ago

Continuing with our daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we celebrate Robert Kiddle, a referee, touch judge and in-goal judge who emerged from the North Sydney District Rugby League Referees’ Association.

Robert was graded in 1984 and became NSW graded member #741. His versatility allowed him to contribute to the game in several different officiating roles across the NSWRL premiership, representative football, the Super League competition and the newly formed NRL.

Among Robert’s many career highlights were:
• 1993 NSWRL Grand Final – In-Goal Judge
• 1997 Super League Grand Final – Touch Judge
• 1994 Metropolitan Cup Grand Final – Touch Judge
• 1993 NSW v Queensland Under-19s – Touch Judge
• 1994 Junior Kangaroos v Great Britain
• 1992 City v Country – In-Goal Judge

The 1993 NSWRL Grand Final saw Brisbane defeat St George 14–6 at the Sydney Football Stadium. Greg McCallum was the referee, Brian Bonnie and Martin Weekes were the touch judges, while Robert Kiddle and Barry Ruttle served as the in-goal judges.

Four years later, Robert received another major honour when he was appointed as a touch judge for the 1997 Super League Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

In front of 58,912 spectators at Brisbane’s ANZ Stadium, the Broncos defeated the Sharks 26–8. Bill Harrigan controlled the match, with Robert and fellow touch judge David Goener completing the on-field officiating team.

Robert and David Goener were also appointed together for the 1997 World Club Challenge semi-final between the Brisbane Broncos and Auckland Warriors.

Robert’s contribution was also recognised by his home association.

He received the John Quinn Memorial Trophy in 1993 and was awarded Life Membership of the North Sydney Referees’ Association in 1994, becoming the Association’s 32nd Life Member.

Robert Kiddle’s career covered an important period in rugby league history—from the traditional NSWRL competition and the introduction of in-goal judges through to Super League and the formation of the NRL.

His record is one of versatility, longevity and achievement across all three on-field roles. ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

2 days ago

Special Edition Profile #21 – Beyond First Grade
Celebrating officials who made an impact without officiating first grade.

Today we recognise Gavin King, a referee from the Central Coast Referees Association who progressed through the representative pathways to become a specialist touch judge with the NSW Rugby League Referees’ Association.

At the conclusion of the 2011 season, Gavin was officially graded as a specialist touch judge, becoming graded member #959.

Although he did not officiate in the NRL first-grade competition, Gavin earned appointments across several important competitions:
🚩 12 NSW Cup matches as a touch judge
🚩 Eight NYC/Under-20s matches as a touch judge
🚩 2011 ARL Schoolboy Cup Final

Gavin’s first NSW Cup appointment came in Round 23 of 2011, when the Western Suburbs Magpies played the Windsor Wolves at Campbelltown Stadium. Phil Haines was the referee, with Gavin and Lawrence McDonell operating as the touch judges.

His NSW Cup career continued throughout 2012, with appointments at venues including Henson Park, Cessnock, Belmore and Campbelltown. He also officiated NYC matches at major venues such as AAMI Park in Melbourne and Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.

Another representative honour came in 2012 when Gavin was appointed as a touch judge for the NSW Police versus Queensland Police match in Sydney, alongside Peter Crombie-Brown, with David Munro as referee.

His final NSW Cup appointment was in Round 19 of 2012, when the Newtown Jets met the Western Suburbs Magpies at Henson Park.

Gavin’s officiating achievements were not limited to rugby league. Touch Football Australia also identified Gavin King of the Central Coast as an international touch football referee, placing him among a highly regarded group of officials selected for the 2012 Peter Wilson Memorial Junior Championships.

Gavin’s story demonstrates that an official’s contribution cannot be measured only by whether they reached first grade. Through his performances in the NSW Cup, NYC, representative rugby league, schoolboy football and international-level touch football, he made a significant contribution across both codes. ... See MoreSee Less