Welcome to the NSWRLRA

NSWRL Referees Association

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

Today we recognise Mat Damaso, graded member #915, a referee and accomplished touch judge from the Canterbury-Bankstown Referees Association

Mat’s journey through the refereeing pathway began well before his long NSW graded career. He received a Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final touchline in 1995. A decade later, after another strong Junior Representative season, he earned grading with the NSWRL Referees Association.

Mat officiated a remarkable total of 190 NSW Reserve Grade and 75 NRL Under-20s appointments, along with two srepresentative touchlines.

Mat also built an impressive Grand Final record:
🏆 Metro Cup Grand Finals – 2011, 2012 and 2013
🏆 Sydney Shield Grand Finals – 2014, 2015 and 2016

That remarkable run represents six consecutive seasons with a Grand Final touchline across the two competitions.

His first NSW Cup touchline came in Round 25, 2006, when South Sydney played Newtown at Telstra Stadium. His final NSW Cup appointment was in Round 4, 2017, when Penrith defeated Wyong at Pepper Stadium.

Mat Damaso’s career is a wonderful example of the commitment, consistency and professionalism required to serve rugby league beyond the first-grade spotlight.

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NSWRL Referees Association

2 days ago

Continuing with our daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we recognise Cliff Brown, graded member #395 and a distinguished referee from the Balmain Referees Association.

Brown enjoyed an outstanding career at the highest level of rugby league. Historical records credit him with 170 NSWRFL first-grade matches, along with two tour matches, four interstate fixtures and a City versus Country appointment. Rugby League Project records 181 first-class matches overall.

His longevity was also remarkable. Brown was 52 when he refereed first grade during the 1962 season, making him one of the oldest officials to control matches at the game’s highest level.

📚 FROM THE ARCHIVES—1962: SIX SENT OFF IN “WILD” LEAGUE GAME
One of the most extraordinary matches of Brown’s career came at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 2 June 1962, when New South Wales faced the touring Great Britain side.

Wild play eventually erupted into a giant second-half brawl, with Brown sending off a record six players. Great Britain prevailed 33–28 before a huge crowd of 60,016, but the match became remembered as one of the most chaotic and controversial encounters in rugby league history.

Brown continued contributing after his on-field career and was appointed the NSWRL’s first full-time Director of Referees in 1976, further adding to his lasting influence on match officiating in New South Wales.

Cliff Brown’s career represents remarkable longevity, authority and dedication to rugby league—both on the field and in the development of those who followed him.

#BehindTheWhistle #CliffBrown #RugbyLeagueReferees #NSWRLRA #BalmainReferees #RugbyLeagueHistory #MatchOfficials #FromTheArchives ... See MoreSee Less