Mackay referee family teams up for momentous match

One of the busiest families of the Mackay & District Rugby League Referees' Association (MDRLRA) had the chance to mark a significant moment in a junior match last weekend.

The under 16 battle between Brothers and Wests was under the full control of the Reid family, with Scott Reid in the middle, his wife Les-Lee Reid on one sideline and youngest son Cale, 16, on the other.

The Reids have been involved in the officiating scene for seven years since eldest son Alex, who is no longer involved, took up the whistle and Scott followed the year after. Middle son Ryan also spent time as a match official.

MDRLRA treasurer Les-Lee Reid, the latest to take up on-field role after many years volunteering in support roles with the association, said it was a great experience to come together on the field for the first time.

"It was actually good, just coming together as a family and supporting the association and running around together," she said.

"I would do it every weekend if we had to. It was good just to have us all on one game to see how we all interact with each other.

"We all communicated the same sort of way as usual, maybe have a little banter with each other now and then but, say Scott was reffing the game, if Cale saw something his father wasn't doing, he'd tell him, or if he told me 'mum, he's not doing this' then I'd inform Scott about what Cale is seeing, so in that sense it was no different whether it was family or not."

Les-Lee said she felt huge support from the members in getting on the field - after a few years of encouragement.

"We had a shortage one weekend and I thought 'Oh, stuff it, I may as well get out there and do it'," she said.

"Not just my boys but other members of the association have been trying to get me to do it for about four years saying 'Come on, get your shoes on a get out there'... and all of a sudden I was out there and I thought, this isn't as bad as I thought it was for all these years.

"Part of it is fitness, but it's also about helping control a game and helping it run smoothly.

"It's nice getting to know all the kids and them getting together and having fun and getting out there and officiating the game they love as well, and that's how we see it, as a family."

Les-Lee said refereeing was particularly valuable for her boys learning how to deal with the pressure of a fast-paced game and how to manage social situations.

"They've got a lot out of it in regard to how to deal with conflict, and their social skills in how to deal with different personalities and make (others) feel they're part of it, but keeping everyone in line," she said.

Retention of junior referees and ultimately moving those old enough into seniors is the focus for the association moving forward, but are hoping to see more older referees - 17 years and up - come forward to bolster the pool available for senior matches.

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