The oldest living NSWRL referee, 98-year-old Brian Barry, has picked up officiating’s most prestigious award – the Eric Cox Medal.
The NSW Rugby League Referees Association (NSWRLRA) recently held its annual Life Members Reunion and awards luncheon at the SCG where Barry was presented with the medal for 2022 by NSWRL director and NSWRLRA chairperson Kevin Greene (main picture above).
It is awarded to a graded member of the Association, who makes a significant contribution to the profession for at least 10 years after receiving Life Membership.
Barry has remained an active member of the North Sydney District Rugby League Referees Association despite retiring from officiating in 1978. He figured in five first grade Grand Finals, several Interstate Series games (NSW v Qld) before State of Origin started in 1980, and the Australia-New Zealand Test series in 1967-68.
Barry began refereeing in 1954 and handled his first graded game in April 1958 – the match where NSWRL and ARL Hall of Famer Ken Irvine made his debut for the North Sydney Bears.
Among other awards presented during the luncheon was the Referees’ Referee – the Mick Stone Medal – won by Nathan Loveday from the Canterbury district.
It was presented by Stone, a former first grade referee (1981-1989) who also handled World Cup, Test matches, City-Country and State of Origin games.
Another coveted honour was the Doug Wintin Award, which is presented to a graded official for an outstanding contribution and service to the NSWRLRA, as well as their personal demeanour and actions.
The 2022 winner was Daniel Luttringer from the Parramatta district.
The Best-Riolo-Kitcher Award went to Armidale-Tamworth district Group 19 referee Cody Simmons for the most outstanding referee in Country Rugby League (CRL).
The award was presented by former CRL Referees Association Frank Kitcher and former CRL Referees Association secretary Kevin Riolo. The third official the award is named after, Nick Best, was a Life Member of the CRLRA but passed away in 2016.
NSWRL Referees Operations Manager Paul Kalina said the end-of-season awards mean as much to officials as they do to players.
“These are milestones in their careers and achievements they are proud of – to be part of a great game and recognised for the contribution they make,” Kalina said.
