A second ‘Back to Districts’ week has been conducted by members of the NSWRL Referees High Performance Squad, who returned to their local associations to pass on some knowledge and tips.
Instead of the 40 members meeting at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Olympic Park for their weekly training and video session, Referees High Performance Manager Stuart Raper sent the officials out to 15 local referees associations in both metropolitan and regional centres.
“We send them back to their local associations where they started their refereeing journey,” Raper said.
“They do some coaching and training sessions with our young, aspiring referees and touch judges so they can learn more about the profession, ask questions, get to put things into practice.
“It’s an opportunity for us to give back to the local associations. The younger referees can see what they can become.
“They received first-hand coaching and tips from members of our High Performance set-up.
“Sessions were based around both the physical and theoretical side of officiating.”
Many of the associations took to their social media to post photos and stories of the on-field training and education.
“It’s good for the younger ones to see someone like Clayton Wills, Billy Greatbatch and Karra-Lee Nolan (pictured with Raper in main photo) go back to their local associations,” Raper said.
“Then there’s Kieren Irons who referees in our elite men’s competition, The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup and then runs the sideline for NRL games as a touch judge.
“So they can see the pathway that’s ahead of them if they want it.”
It is the second consecutive year the NSWRL Referees High Performance Squad has held the ‘Back to Districts’ week.
“It was such a success last year from both sides,” Raper said.
“The local officials love to have their questions answered and our men and women actually get a real kick out of giving back to where it all started for them.”
