QRL Officiating HPU celebrates on and off field wins at awards

Author: Jacob Grams QRL community content producer
Timestamp: Wed 27 Sep 2023, 02:30 PM

Members of the QRL Officiating High Performance Unit (HPU) have taken the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate a successful year on and off the field at their end of season awards recently.

Hostplus Cup grand final referee Tyson Brough was presented the most coveted award of Referees' Referee at the event held at Darling & Co, Paddington on Friday, September 15.

The awards marked achievements across the board in statewide competitions, from milestones in Hostplus Cup to the efforts of match day coaches and emerging officials coming through the grades.

QRL Officiating HPU coach Andrew Wareham said it was great to enjoy time together as a group and look back on the growth of the culture within the HPU in a long year that started way back at preseason in November.

"I think the thing about our group is that we probably got stronger as a unit through the year and that was evident in the night and how we enjoyed each other's company, how we grew together and how we faced the challenges of the season together," he said.

"We know when we start preseason training, only three people are going to be in the last game of the year, so it's about how we support each other and help each other through the remaining weeks and months there.

"I think there was just a genuine excitement within the room for people just to be there and come together and celebrate the year that was and celebrate our successes."

Wareham said the peer-nominated awards to Tyson Brough (Referees' Referee) and Nick Morel (Touch Judge of the Year) were particularly well-received and a recognition not just for their on-field performances, but also the "invisible" efforts to drive the culture of the group.

"Culture has been a really big one that I know that we've tried to work on as a leadership group. Making sure that as a group we don't sit out on the side as match officials. We're part of the game so ensuring we make those positive contributions," he said.

"Officiating is not always going to please everyone every single time, but we know that we've maintained the integrity of the game. We maintain our position within the game being strong pillars in contributing to the strength of the competition."