The NSWRL is pleased to announce that Greg McCallum and the late Bob Abood have been awarded NSWRL Life Memberships following the Annual General Meeting yesterday (Wednesday 19 February).
McCallum and Abood become the 121st and 122nd members of an exclusive group dating back to 1909 – after the NSW Rugby League enjoyed its inaugural year of competition in 1908.
McCallum has enjoyed a 46-year involvement in the game as a well-respected referee – officiating many games throughout his career at all levels of Rugby League. He started his career with Manly Warringah in 1979 before making his first-grade debut in 1983.
McCallum officiated three first grade Grand Finals (1992-94), five State of Origin matches (1988-93) and 13 International games (1988-93).
McCallum is also a life member of the NSWRL Referees Association where he is currently the Executive Officer.
“You don’t survive in Rugby League for over 40 years without a strong support structure and I am very grateful for the support I have received in the game from when I started at Manly in 1979,” McCallum said after his induction.
“Through the likes of Ken Arthurson and others throughout my journey such as Peter Corcoran and (the late) Paul Broughton and my refereeing colleagues such as Michael Stone, the (late) Dennis Spagarino and Les Matthews all of whom are life members of the NSWRL.
“My wife Carolyn has been an incredible support over the years particularly in the administrative roles I hold.
“I am thankful for the support of the game, which was evident when I had a triple bypass at Christmas and the Rugby League community got behind me.
“But the greatest thing you get from the game is the camaraderie that exists within the clubs and the game and New South Wales Rugby League has led the way in that regard.”
Abood’s contribution to Rugby League spanned across 36-years – starting in 1989 when he was the Chairman of NSWRL Judiciary alongside Greg Glass, overseeing the then Metropolitan Cup Competition. He oversaw changes to the Judiciary duties as the governance of the game changed and the competitions administrated by NSW Rugby League changed.
After Glass retired in 2015, Abood was the sole Chairman of the Judiciary and oversaw changes to the structure of the conduct of the Judiciary to mirror changes in the NRL Judiciary procedure.
Abood also acted as Chairman of the NRL Judiciary on many occasions.
Abood’s family including wife Carmen, children Michael, David, Regina and Gerard along with daughter-in-law Amanda and grandson Ethan were all in attendance at yesterday’s General Meeting on his behalf to recognise this great honour.
Carmen Abood, wife of 57 years of the late Bob Abood, accepted the Life Membership on his behalf and that of his four children and eight grandchildren.
“Outside of his love for his family and the law, he loved sport, particularly Rugby League,” Carmen said.
“He spent many hours of research and watching games. I was like a football widow during the season.
“This is the highest accolade and a great honour, but Bob would not have expected it. He did it because he loved the game.”
