The NSWRL was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of NSWRL Life Member and former Wests Tigers director, Ron Powell.
Powell started his career as a referee before moving on to a decorated career as an administrator for the Western Suburbs District Referees Association, Wests Ashfield Leagues, Western Suburbs Magpies and one of the founding directors of Wests Tigers.
“Ron was on the board when Wests Tigers won the competition in 2005,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“One of the most special things about that victory was it provided a reward for people like him who had devoted a lifetime to their clubs without being able to celebrate a premiership victory.
“It was really satisfying to see the joy they got out of that and the reward that provided them for their involvement in Rugby League.
“I personally had an extremely high regard for him and both his wife with whom we had a close relationship with during his time at Wests Tigers.”
Powell started his career as an A Grade referee which included taking on administrative roles for the Western Suburbs District Referees Association. He was made a Life Member in 1975, was President from 1975-78 and was Vice-President from 1979-83.
“He was a great district referee and he was one of those officials you always needed in a district association because nothing was ever any trouble for him,” former NSW Referees Association President Dennis Spagarino said.
“He’d go to referee a game anywhere at any time, he’d help the young guys that came into refereeing and he just put in hours and hours and hours into Western Suburbs.
“He was the kind of guy that you’d want to have a drink with, and I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He just enjoyed being a referee and he enjoyed Wests.”
Powell also held various positions with Wests Ashfield Leagues, Western Suburbs Magpies and Wests Tigers from 1980-2011, and was made a life member of the NSWRL in 2009.
“He was well liked and was a very loyal person who gave more than two decades of service to Wests,” Wests Tigers director Rick Wayde said.
The NSWRL passes on its sincere condolences to the many family and friends of Ron Powell.
