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NSWRL Referees Association

10 hours ago

From Warrimoo Oval to the Rugby League World Cup Final!

In 1997, a young Grant Atkins took control of his first game of junior rugby league at Warrimoo Oval in the Blue Mountains.

This Sunday, he will walk out onto Suncorp Stadium as the referee for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand.

He also becomes the first official ever to be appointed as both a referee and touch judge for a World Cup Final, having been on the touch line for this fixture at Old Trafford 13 years ago.

On behalf of the entire Penrith District Rugby League Referees’ Association, we congratulate Grant on this incredible achievement and wish him all the best for Sunday’s game. ... See MoreSee Less

NSWRL Referees Association

19 hours ago

Continuing with our new daily series: Behind the Whistle!

Today we recognise Phil Haines, a proud product of the Penrith District Rugby League Referees’ Association who progressed through the NSW graded ranks to officiate at the highest levels of the game.

Phil became NSWRL Graded Member #890 and was later recognised as NRL Referee #96.

His first NRL appointment came as a touch judge in Round 2 of the 2008 season. Just eight rounds later, he made his first-grade refereeing debut when St George Illawarra defeated Melbourne 36–12 at ANZ Stadium.

Across seven seasons of NRL service, Phil accumulated an impressive 103 first-grade appointments:

Phil’s representative honours included:
🌏 Two Test-match appointments
🏉 Malta versus Lebanon international – Referee, 2006
🏉 Pacific Cup – Touch Judge, 2009
⭐ NRL All Stars – Referee, 2012
🇵🇬 PNG versus Australian Prime Minister’s XIII – Referee, 2012

The 2012 All Stars appointment saw Phil and the other referees trial several innovations, including announcing decisions directly to spectators through the stadium’s public-address system.

Later that year, Phil controlled a memorable Prime Minister’s XIII match in Port Moresby. Australia defeated Papua New Guinea 24–18 after Akuila Uate scored in the final minute before approximately 16,000 passionate supporters.

Phil’s final NRL match came in Round 26 of 2013 at Brookvale Oval, where Penrith defeated Manly-Warringah 38–26.

His contribution did not end with his on-field career. Phil has remained closely involved with the Penrith Referees Association as a coach, mentor and administrator. He has helped guide developing officials, spoken to emerging referees about the pathway to senior football and advocated strongly for the protection of junior match officials from abuse.

Phil has also been recognised as a Life Member of the Penrith District Rugby League Referees’ Association, reflecting a contribution that extends far beyond his 103 NRL appearances.

From the Penrith district to international and representative football, Phil Haines’s career demonstrates the commitment, resilience and leadership required to succeed as both a referee and touch judge. ... See MoreSee Less