Two former NSWRL referees Paul Holland and Russell Turner, who had more than 700 NRL games between them, have been honoured at the weekend for their long and distinguished careers.
The pair were awarded NSWRLRA (NSW Rugby League Referees Association) Life Membership at the annual post-season function held at the Panthers Leagues Club, joining an elite band of 150 officials who have been recognised for their service to the game.
After Holland retired from the NRL in 2014 and Tuner in 2017, the pair came back to the NSWRLRA and have been coaching the next generations of referees and touch judges with the NSWRL High Performance and Junior Reps squads.
“They are very impressive individuals and as match officials they were outstanding,” said NSWRLRA Executive Director Greg McCallum.
“They left us at NSW Rugby League, went and excelled in the NRL and at Test and Origin level, and then came back to us.
“The board was impressed by that because of the years they are giving back to teach and mentor the next crop of match officials.
“They had a wonderful attitude no matter if they were refereeing in the middle or as touch judges on the sideline. Paul was graded (by NSWRL) in 1999 and Russell in 1998 so they’ve been around a long time and many officials have benefitted from having them around.”
Both Holland and Turner both made their NRL debuts in 2001.
Holland was appointed for four consecutive NRL Grand Finals (2009-2012), along with 16 Tests and eight Origins.
Turner, who became a Penrith District Referees Association Life Members in 2005, handled three Grand Finals, seven Tests and 13 Origins.
