A number of NSWRL Regional and Junior Representatives referees are helping officiate weekly first grade games in Darwin during the Northern Territory Rugby League season.
Community Football Referees Development Officer and former NRL referee Gavin Badger said the exchange was a wonderful learning experience for NSWRL’s young officials from six competitions – SLE Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16 Boys), SLE Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18 Boys), Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup (Under 17 Girls), Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup (Under 19s Women), Men’s and Women’s Country Championships.
“In Darwin they have a shortage of referees for their first grade football, which is definitely comparable to our A grade standard so our referees are putting their skills to good use,” Badger said.
“The Northern Territory Rugby League reached out to us and the QRL (Queensland Rugby League) to see if we could support their local referees. (Pictured above in Darwin is Nicholas Willer (centre) from Macksville, who refereed Andrew Johns Cup matches this year).
“We send one or two up on a Friday and they come back on Sunday,” he said. “They normally run the sideline for Under 18s and then referee First Grade games.
“So they have a day in Darwin, it’s not just fly-in fly-out, giving them the chance to spend some time in our most northern capital.
“The NT Rugby League really look after our guys and everyone who has gone up there says it’s a really positive experience.”
The Darwin season started 4 April and runs until 29 August giving more than two dozen NSWRL officials the chance to experience the game in a different location from what they are used to.
Badger sent the request out to his Regional, Junior and Community referees squad asking for who was available on which dates.
“A lot of the officials we send up are from regional areas as well like Parkes, Macksville, Tamworth, Canberra, as well as guys from our Penrith and St George districts,” he said.
“I’ve got referees from the whole state getting this opportunity.
“It’s not only adding to their bank of experience, but it’s helping share knowledge across a wider group of Rugby League referees.”
