Pictured: Rockhampton referee Aaron Geddes calls the shots during the Cyril Connell Cup final.
Representative Rugby League was the big talking point of the weekend throughout Queensland.
Brisbane hosted the Anzac Test Match (Men and Women), Queensland Residents and Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga finals. The Gold Coast was home to the Pacific Island Test Matches (Fiji v PNG, Tonga v Samoa), and Roma hosted the Central Division 47th Battalion A Grade Carnival.
All players in action no doubt pulled on the colours of their country, region or town with pride and aimed up for what they were hoping would be their best possible performance. The same can be said for the men and women that pulled on the pink jersey as match officials.
The Central Division was exceptionally well represented over the weekend with a number of Division officials earning the right to take their place on the big stage that is representative football.
Rockhampton’s Aaron Geddes was the man in charge for the Cyril Connell Cup decider. He was assisted on the sidelines by Touch Judge Jake Stanton (from the Sunshine Coast).
Jackson Shearer (Sunshine Coast) was rewarded for consistent performance with the Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final and fellow Sunshine Coast official Ryan Hayes was on the sidelines.
Queensland’s win in the Residents game was also a win for leading referee Peter Gough who was the man in the middle for the interstate grudge match. He was ably assisted by video referee Bruce Schmidt.
Finally, in Outback Queensland, Sunshine Coast referee Drew Christie was appointed to the 47th Battalion Grand Final played between Bundaberg and Toowoomba.
QRL Referee Coach Bruce Schmidt indicated that it was important for young referee’s to be rewarded for good performances with representative honours.
“Getting appointed to the big games is important," Schmidt said.
“It breeds healthy competition amongst the referee ranks and gives the referee’s a mark to strive for.” Schmidt said.
He added: “Our young match officials are starting to realise that there is a genuine pathway for referee’s in the game. We need to encourage them to continue improving and give them the same development opportunities and coaching that players receive. This includes rewarding them with representative honours.”
