Welcome to the NSWRLRA

NSWRL Referees Association

3 hours 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

1 day 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

NSWRL Referees Association

2 days ago

Continuing with our daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we recognise the outstanding refereeing career of Adam Devcich, a highly accomplished NRL referee who represented the North Sydney Referees Association.

Adam was graded to the NSW Rugby League Referees Association in 2004 as graded member #898, progressing through the refereeing ranks before establishing himself as a regular NRL match official.

His early achievements included receiving the North Sydney Referees Association's prestigious Erle Carroll Memorial Trophy in 2000, 2002 and 2003, recognising his performances in the local refereeing ranks.

Adam's first involvement in the NRL came as a touch judge in 2007, beginning a top-grade career that would span a decade. His NRL refereeing debut came in Round 24 of 2009, when the New Zealand Warriors played the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on 23 August. It marked the beginning of a successful first-grade refereeing career that would see Adam take charge of 131 NRL premiership matches.

Over the following seasons, Adam became a regular appointment in the NRL, particularly between 2011 and 2015, when he consistently officiated more than 20 first-grade matches per season.

His achievements also extended to representative rugby league. Adam was appointed to referee two City vs Country matches and an Australian Prime Minister's XIII match.

Adam's final NRL refereeing appearance came in Round 23 of 2016, when the Newcastle Knights played the Penrith Panthers at Hunter Stadium on 14 August, bringing to a close a first-grade refereeing career spanning eight seasons.

From his early achievements in the North Sydney refereeing ranks to his representative appointments and decade-long involvement in the NRL, Adam demonstrated the dedication, professionalism and commitment required to succeed at the highest level.

His achievements remain an important part of the history of the North Sydney and NSW Rugby League Referees Associations.

#BehindTheWhistle #AdamDevcich #RugbyLeagueReferees #NRLReferees #NorthSydneyReferees #NSWRLRA #TouchJudge #RugbyLeagueHistory ... See MoreSee Less