Welcome to the NSWRLRA

NSWRL Referees Association

21 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.

Rugby league refereeing, and the wider community, lost one of its most treasured and respected gentlemen yesterday. Former First Grade Touch Judge, Life Member, President and NSWRLRA member #601, Ian "Darkie" McCall, passed away peacefully on Friday.

There have been few people of greater stature within the refereeing fraternity. For more than six decades, Ian devoted his life to rugby league officiating—as a referee, touch judge, administrator, mentor, historian and leader. His contribution stretched far beyond his beloved Parramatta, helping shape officiating across New South Wales and Australia.

His on-field record speaks for itself. A regular on Grand Final day at the SCG during the 1980s, Ian reached the highest levels of touch judging, earning appointments to Test Matches and State of Origins.

Despite his on-field success, many will attest that his greatest impact came away from the field. He was committed to driving refereeing into the modern era. An innovator and visionary, Ian used his passion and expertise to achieve positive outcomes for referees at every level of the game.

It is fitting that he was recognised as a Life Member of the Parramatta, New South Wales and Australian Rugby League Referees' Associations. Furthermore, he is one of only a handful of our members to have also been awarded Life Membership of the New South Wales Rugby League.

Many people may never have met Ian, yet they will continue to benefit from the standards, professionalism and culture he helped create. This will be the enduring legacy of a remarkable man.

RIP IAN

#BehindTheWhistle #refereespotlight #nswrlra #rugbyleague #matchofficials #respecttheofficials #whistlewatch #RugbyLeagueHistory ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

2 days ago

VALE IAN McCALL

The Board of Directors and Management of the NSWRLRA are deeply saddened to notify of the passing of highly respected and much loved Life Member and former long serving Chairman Ian McCall after a long illness.

Ian was a Life Member also of the NSWRL and Parramatta Referees' Association where his outstanding leadership laid the foundations of the respect that referees hold within our game.

We pass on our love to his wife Madeline and family along with his many colleagues and friends from both Rugby League and his Teaching career.

Ian was member #601 of the NSWRLRA.

I will notify of Ian's Funeral arrangements once finalised. ... 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 recognise Kevin Roberts, one of rugby league’s most respected referees of the 1970s and 1980s.

Graded from the Eastern Suburbs Referees Association, Roberts built an outstanding first grade career, controlling 273 NSWRL first grade matches and earning appointments in some of the biggest games of his era. His career included three Grand Finals, six State of Origin matches, Test matches, and City vs Country fixtures.

Kevin’s first grade journey began in Round 6, 1975, when he refereed Balmain Tigers vs St George Dragons at Leichhardt Oval. From there, he became a trusted official during one of rugby league’s toughest and most physical periods.

He refereed the 1983, 1984 and 1985 Grand Finals, including the famous 1984 decider between Canterbury-Bankstown and Parramatta at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Roberts also played a major role in the early years of State of Origin, refereeing six Origin matches. His Origin record included games across the 1982 and 1984–86 series, with NSW winning five of the six matches he controlled.

Away from first grade, Kevin remained deeply involved in the game. He was remembered as a player, referee, coach and mentor, and was recognised as a Life Member of the Eastern Suburbs Referees Association, South Sydney Referees Association and NSW Rugby League.

Kevin Roberts passed away in 2018, aged 76, but his contribution to rugby league officiating continues to be remembered. He was not only a top-class referee, but someone who gave back to grassroots referees and helped develop the next generation.

A great referee, a mentor, and a major figure in rugby league officiating history — Kevin Roberts truly helped keep the game moving.

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