ON FRIDAY, October 3, the Rockhampton & District Referees Association held its annual awards night.
It was a time to celebrate another big year with games commencing in Rockhampton in early February and finishing late in September with an estimated 1500+ games done in 2014 in Internationals, mini mod, local senior league, Cyril Connell Cup, Mal Meninga Cup, Intrust Super Cup as well as local district carnivals.
The referees association were proud to announce that they had added 14 new junior referees to their junior development program and were looking forward to seeing these young men and women go on to forge successful careers in rugby league. It is also encouraging to see multiple family members involved with a number of father and son combinations and also sibling rivalry.
The night also had a tinge of sadness as they fair welled senior referee Jason McManus after 14 years in the Rockhampton district.
Jason and his family will be returning to Batemans Bay for family reasons and Jason hopes to continue his association with the game down south. On behalf of the Association, we wish Jason and his family well, as he has played a major role in developing our very good junior referees over this period of time.
Awards for the Night:
Junior Rookie of the Year - Corbin Bellette
Most improve Junior - Harry Routley
Junior Touch Judge - Jordan Mole
Junior Referee of the Year - Griffin Bellette
Most Improved Senior Referee - Shannon Bellette
Senior Touch Judge - Evan Bayliss
Clubman of the Year - Shannon Bayliss
Member of the Year - Peter Killoran
Referee of the Year - Jason McManus
The referees would like to thanks their sponsors Granger Contracting, The SMW Group & Georgia Pacific Pty Ltd, the clubs and the wives, partners and family for their assistance during the year.
If anyone is interested in joining the referees association, email rockyrefs@hotmail.com. Anyone from the age of 14 (male or female) can become a referee.
