Jordan Fraser-Bellette, Marcus Fitzgerald and Alex Anderson
It is not just the footy players who can earn selection for their regions or state as referees are also vying for selection to officiate at the various carnivals, hoping to further their skills and experience refereeing at a higher level.
Over the past few months some of Toowoomba’s finest young referees have earned a Qld jersey to attend carnivals across the state. Refs travel near and far, including Charleville, Roma, Runaway Bay, Coolum and Rockhampton.
It started back in May with the under 15’s schoolboys carnival held in Roma where Jordan Edmonds and Greer Beck refereed and were joined by Marcus Fitzgerald and Jordan Fraser-Bellette attending as touch judges. Greer also attended the week long carnival of the Confraternity where he refereed the open schoolboys.
June saw the Outback Challenge in Charleville for the U14’s and U16’s, which was officiated by local lads Brennan Brown and Morgan Fanning. Brennan then earnt selection to the Queensland City/Country Cultural Exchange held in Coolum for the U13’s, 14’s and 16’s.
June was a very busy month, with the referee coordinators also organising the officials for the annual Under 12 Schoolboys State Championships held at Runaway Bay. The week long carnival was attended by Toowoomba Referees Marcus Fitzgerald and Alex Anderson as well as NRL Referees development officer Glen Richardson who was the mentor and coach.
Out of the 12 referees from all over the state, Marcus was selected along with Zayden Martin (from the coast) to the U12 Nationals being held in Darwin in August.
Alex has also been selected to referee the grand final of the U12 NRL Development Cup (super sixes) schoolboy rugby league between Miles and St Mary’s College Toowoomba at Dalby.
Jordan Fraser-Bellette also enjoyed selection into the week long Vic Jensen carnival held in Rockhampton for U11’s. Jordan flew to Rockhampton on July 5 and returned Friday evening. This was Jordan’s first big carnival refereeing and he thoroughly enjoyed his experience and received great reviews.
Congratulations to all the referees and we hope you continue your awesome work.
