Development Programs /

Statewide Development Program

Summary & Framework Overview 

The QRL Match Officials Statewide Development Program is designed to identify, develop, and transition aspirational match officials from community rugby league into high-performance readiness.

The program provides a structured, statewide pathway that supports long term development, ensuring participants exit as capable, confident, and physically prepared match officials who uplift the standard of officiating within local senior competitions and beyond. 

A key driver of the program is addressing the transition gap into State Squad and NRL environments. The program adopts a ~5-year development model focused on long-term skill, physical, and personal development. 

Three-Pillar Development Model 

Referee – Laws of the Game, decision-making, game management, competency-based progression 

Athlete – Strength, speed, conditioning aligned to match demands 

Human – Professional behaviours, resilience, wellbeing and self-management 

Entry & Identification 

Participants are nominated by their local Referee Associations and/or NRL Referee Development Officers (RDOs). The program targets officials with clear development potential, strong commitment, and appropriate behavioural standards. 

The ideal minimum entry age is 16 years, allowing for a multi-season development window that prioritises learning, exposure, and progression rather than early performance outcomes. 

Selection Criteria 

• Demonstrated community officiating experience 
• Foundational rules knowledge 
• Positive behavioural standards 
• Endorsement from Association/RDO 

Foundation Phase (Approx. Ages 16–18) 

During the initial two seasons, participants are primarily developed as touch judges, building foundational skills, game understanding, communication, and professionalism in representative environments.

Appointments may include: 

• QRL Statewide Junior Representative Competitions (Touch Judge)
• Cowboys & Dolphins Challenge, Walters Cup (Referee)
• Aaron Payne, Dolphins & Langer Cups (Touch Judge)
• Selected participants may attend QRSSRL 16–18 Years Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Championships 
   

This phase focuses on learning to operate within higher level match environments while developing consistency, confidence, and resilience. 

Transition Phase (18+ Years) – Tiered Pathway 

Upon turning 18, participants progress into a tiered officiating pathway, emphasising skill acquisition, accountability, and performance standards. 

Officials will: 

• Continue performing as a touch judge at each grade
• Progress to referee once competency is demonstrated
• Move through grades in sequence, commencing with:  
  o    17 Girls
  o    19 Girls 
  o    17 Boys 
• Referee Aaron Payne, Dolphins & Langer Cups 
• Attend QRSSRL 16–18 Years Schoolboys and Schoolgirls Championships 
   

Progression is individualised, based on readiness rather than age alone. 

Advanced Identification & State Squad Alignment 

Participants identified as capable of progressing into 19 Boys may be offered elevation into the QRL State Squad as a Tier 4 participant. 

Importantly: 

• State Squad grading is not mandatory prior to refereeing 19 Boys
• Pathways remain open for late developers
• The program supports both accelerated and long-term development models 

Holistic Development Focus 

The program extends beyond officiating skills, supporting participants as developing athletes. Core development pillars include: 

• Technical and tactical officiating capability
• Running technique and movement efficiency
• Strength, gym literacy, and injury prevention
• Physical conditioning aligned to match demands
• Professional behaviours, mindset, and self-management

This approach ensures officials are physically and mentally equipped for higher level rugby league. 

Program Outcomes 

Participants exiting the program will: 

• Understand high-performance requirements
• Be local senior level competent  
• Demonstrate strong officiating fundamentals and physical capacity
• Contribute to an uplift in officiating quality within their associations
• Possess knowledge and understanding of pathways into:  
  o    The QRL State Squad as a multi‑skilled match official, or
  o    Specialist pathways (e.g. touch judge, match official coach)
  o    The NRL Academy 

Supporting Resources

The following resources support practical delivery of the program: 

QRL Statewide Development Target Skills Calendar — outlines the weekly skills focus and progression across recognition, positioning, decision-making and game management. 
QRL Statewide Development Weekly Drill Cards — provides practical activities with a purpose, equipment requirements, delivery instructions and Foundation and Transition assessment prompts. 

Together, these resources give coaches and officials a shared structure for targeted practice and feedback, supporting development that benefits both individual officials and community rugby league.