The NSWRL High Performance referees squad spent three days at the Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre, at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, to sharpen their skills for the upcoming 2025 season.
The squad of 40 will officiate all NSWRL Major Competitions – The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup (Under 21s), Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup, and Sydney Shield starting in March – and the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership in July.
Physical conditioning, field skills, video of matches and game-time scenarios, lectures on rules and interpretations comprised most of the sessions, although there was a group activity in Brisbane Waters National Park involving orienteering and survival techniques.
NRL General Manager of Elite Officiating Jared Maxwell spoke to the referees reminding them of the opportunities that lay adjacent to NSWRL’s Major Competitions.
“And this weekend four of our NSWRL High Performance squad will be on the sidelines for the two NRL trial matches,” said NSWRL Referees Operations Manager, Paul Kalina.
Daniel Luttringer, who made his NRL debut in July last year, and Damian Brady, who handled the 2024 Jersey Flegg Cup Grand Final as well as making his NRL debut in 2023, will be touch judges for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Warriors on Friday 7 February.
Kieren Irons, who controlled The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final last September, and Karra-Lee Nolan who ran the sideline in the NRLW Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and Sharks, have both been appointed to the Penrith-Canberra game on Saturday 8 February.
“This is another great opportunity for our match officials to work at Rugby League’s elite level and it’s a testament to the work NSWRL does to train and up-skill our referees to hopefully reach the top level of the game,” Kalina said.
“That’s why the three-day camp last weekend was so important in preparation for season 2025.”
Round One for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup starts Saturday 8 March; for Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield on Saturday 15 March; and Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership on Thursday 3 July.
