Welcome to the NSWRLRA

NSWRL Referees Association

8 hours ago

Continuing with our new daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we travel back to the formative years of Australian rugby league to recognise Laurie Kearney, graded member #129 and one of the most prominent referees of the game’s pioneering era.

Born in Armidale in 1883, Laurie made his Sydney first-grade debut on 30 July 1910, controlling the Round 9 match between Annandale and Glebe at Wentworth Park.

Between 1910 and 1913, he refereed 37 NSWRFL first-grade matches, along with numerous representative fixtures:

Historical records credit Laurie with 101 first-class appointments across Sydney, Brisbane. One of his earliest major appointments came in 1911, when he controlled NSW’s 65–9 interstate victory over Queensland before approximately 32,000 spectators at the Sydney Showground. He returned for further interstate appointments during the following seasons.

Laurie’s final Sydney first-grade match was Balmain against Eastern Suburbs at Wentworth Park in Round 5 of 1913. After relocating to Brisbane in 1919, he continued officiating at the highest level and controlled 45 Queensland premiership matches.

His greatest appointment came on 26 June 1920, when he refereed the opening Ashes Test between Australia and the visiting Northern Union side in Brisbane. Australia won 8–4 in front of approximately 32,000 spectators.

Laurie also refereed several major Queensland finals, including both competition finals in 1920, the 1921 QRL Final and the 1924 Brisbane Rugby League Final.

His contribution to rugby league continued away from the field. Laurie became a respected sports journalist, initially writing for Sydney’s Daily Telegraph before joining Brisbane’s Daily Mail in 1925 and later the Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail. His influence was such that he was shortlisted by the NRL for recognition among rugby league’s great media personalities. He was also recognised Laurie Kearney among the leading officials who helped establish the traditions and standards of refereeing during rugby league’s earliest years. ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

1 day 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