Damian Brady will this weekend become the fourth NSWRL official to move up to the NRL in the past year, signifying the strength of cooperation between the two Rugby League bodies in building that pathway.
Brady will be on the sideline for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles-Newcastle Knights Round Five game at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Oval on Saturday (1 April).
He follows on from NSWRL squad members Ben Teague, Kieren Irons and Cameron Paddy who made their NRL debuts in 2022.
NSWRL Referees High Performance Manager Stuart Raper said Brady was graded into the NSWRL high performance squad in 2017, after he was moved by his employers from Queensland to Sydney.
“He’s worked his way up the chain basically. It’s a really good example of dedication, persistence and desire,” Raper said.
“He wanted to get to the top, he worked hard for it, and he’s been rewarded. It’s nice to see one of the good guys get to where they’re aiming.”
Raper spoke to Brady to congratulate him and tell him how proud his colleagues were of him.
“But I also emphasised with him that like any debut whether it’s a player or referee, you’ve got to keep things level,” Raper said.
“Getting the selection is one thing, getting the performance right is the other.
“And I’ve got to give a rap to both (NRL General Manager, Elite Officiating) Jared Maxwell and to our own system here at NSWRL for making sure there is a pathway for referees,” Raper said.
“We have several other referees who have done first grade in our squad but recognising Brades just increases that pool of talent from which Jared can select,” he said.
“Creating competition amongst referees augers well for top-class officiating and that’s what we’re all striving for.”
The NSWRL Referees Association has another milestone to recognise this weekend with Mitchell Stone (far left, pictured above) officiating in his 400th game – he will be a touch judge in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup game between St George Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels at WIN Stadium on Saturday (1 April).
Stone was graded to the NSWRL high performance squad in 2011 from the Parramatta district and follows Penrith district referee John Woods, who reached the 400-game mark in April 2022.
“The players celebrate 200 and 300-game milestones with great fanfare and referees reaching 400 brings similar emotions and accolades for us,” Raper said.
“It is a fine achievement and one that needs to be recognised within the Rugby League family.”
