NEW SOUTH WALES RUGBY UNION REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION INC. ONE HUNDRED AND TWELTH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT INCORPORATING THE THIRTY FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SYDNEY RUGBY REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED SEASON 2004 NEW SOUTH WALES RUGBY REFEREE ASSOCIATION OFFICE BEARERS 2004 Patrons: Kevin Meyer, John Miner President: John McCarthy Members: James Dickson (Treasurer) Michael Blair (Secretary) Wayne Rubin (General Member) Coaching Board and Grading Board Selectors: Kevin Meyer (Second Position Vacant) Life Members: Richard Byres, Bruce Estall, Robert Fordham, Anthony Garling, Brian Kinsey, John Miner OAM, A.R. Macneill, Kevin Meyer, Jim O’Donnell, Thomas Sheen, Norm Stevens, Dr. I.R. Vanderfield OBE, John Dedrick, Robin Timmins PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2004 The season of 2004 has been yet another busy one for refereeing in NSW following the excitement of RWC 2003. Interest in our game is probably at an all time high, from the highest levels through to community rugby. Referees have once again played an integral part, and it is appropriate to review the role of this association as a piece in the jigsaw which forms rugby in this state. One of the executive’s recent objectives has been to formally delineate the respective roles of the NSWRRA and the NSWRU Referee Department, headed by Ron Mancell. This has occurred to some extent through evolution, and there will always be some degree of overlap. However, one thing is certain - that the two bodies must complement each other. For this to occur, there must be a cordial, not adversarial relationship. I am glad to report that we have achieved this and are in a position to work through any issues in a mature, positive manner. The NSWRU is well aware of, and sympathetic to our requirements as an association. The issues of referee abuse and referee reimbursement have been but two at the forefront of discussions over recent times. We now have a formalised process to deal with instances of abuse, with full support of NSWRU and NSWSRU and their respective administrators and judiciaries. Reimbursement is also now a reality. Support from NSWRU has come in many tangible and intangible ways. Members will be familiar with sponsorship, gear issue, tickets to representative matches, training and continuing education. Clerical assistance has also been plentiful, with Robin Timmins once again providing us with her very able help whenever required. Dialogue continues with regard to our proposed “clubroom”, with CEO Fraser Neill giving in-principle support. Unfortunately, the major difficulty is the lack of an appropriate location at this time. “Watch this space” as they say in the classics! We are extremely grateful for the assistance given by Ron and Robin as always. This year also saw the introduction of the Dick Byres Medal which was awarded at the Catchpole Medal function. Dick has been one of the major contributors to NSW, Australian and world Rugby refereeing for many years so it is entirely appropriate that this award be named in his honour. It is wonderful to have such an award in perpetuity to recognise refereeing in NSW and for that we are extremely grateful to the NSWRU for its inception. It was a huge honour to be the inaugural winner. There has been a noticeable change in mood within the association. The previous air of negativity which permeated our midst has been replaced with an air of camaraderie and a sense of enjoyment not seen to this extent for a decade or so. It is very satisfying to see a group of talented and enthusiastic younger referees entering the ranks who appear to be embracing refereeing for all the right reasons. As a consequence, many more “senior” members are enjoying their respective roles as coaches in what is very much a symbiotic relationship. There is no doubt that contentment leads to greater motivation and hence better performance. Consistent with the principle of “putting something back” into our game, we introduced a plan to assist less fortunate rugby communities. The executive were delighted at the response of members to our request for used refereeing jerseys, which could no longer be worn because of sponsorship changes. These were gratefully received by less fortunate rugby communities in the west of NSW, on recommendation from the Lloyd McDermott Foundation. Thanks to all who donated jerseys, and to Wayne Rubin who arranged and donated courier delivery. The executive were greatly encouraged by the favourable comments received, which not only helped rugby people albeit in a relatively small way, but these small gestures also gain us respect from the wider rugby community. Once again, referees from this association contributed to the game at the highest level. Congratulations to all who refereed at representative level, especially our ARU contracted referees in George Ayoub, Stuart Dickinson and Matt Goddard, who represented themselves and this Association with aplomb. Also, congratulations go to Stuart, who refereed the Tooheys New Cup Grand Final, and to all others who achieved Grand Final appointments or other personal goals in 2004. The highlight of the social scene was the Annual Dinner, held at Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club. The dinner was MC’d by our own Peter Higgins, with cricket legend Rodney Hogg as the guest speaker. It is always good to see our esteemed life members attending the dinner. The evening was well attended, and as usual, a good time was had by all. This year also saw the reintroduction of the interchange concept. Arrangements were made between ourselves and the Northland (NZ) referees. Congratulations to Brendan Taylor (referee coach) and Damien Mitchelmore (referee) who were our chosen representatives. We hope to pursue other provinces who may provide our interchangees with an experience commensurate with their abilities and experience. Financially, this association remains strong and we are intend to maintain this position. Suggestions of how to spend money have been plentiful, but it remains the intention of this executive to closely scrutinise such proposals so that accumulated funds are in reserve should they be required. Next season, 2005, is approaching very quickly, and the Executive have several initiatives in the pipeline. We hope to establish arrangements with various commercial enterprises to assist our members’ requirements. We also hope to develop the social side to further enhance the fellowship that exists within this association. We trust that there are exciting times ahead. In conclusion, I have to thank profusely my Executive team in Michael Blair (Secretary), James Dickson (Treasurer), and Wayne Rubin (General Member), all of whom have contributed enormously to the smooth running of this Association. They have, without fail, carried out their respective tasks with enthusiasm, competence and good humour. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them, and once again it has been a great honour to have served as President of this fine organization. All the best of health in the off-season and 2005. John McCarthy President NSWRRA NSW REFEREE DEPARTMENT REPORT 2004 NSWRU Referee Department represents the interests of over 1800 match officials within the state. These match officials range from Club Touch Judges through School, District and Country Associations on to NSWRU referees appointed to matches directly controlled by the union. The Department services the Education, Training, Development and Administrative needs of this portion of the Rugby Community. 2004 saw the introduction of a number of initiatives, which have reinforced NSW Rugby’s commitment to developing match officials across the state. The strategic plan for the department was rewritten, setting new standards in Referee Coach and Level 2 Referee numbers within all associations. This in turn meant that more Referee Coach and Level 2 Referee Courses were run, particularly in the country areas, in order to meet the new requirements of the strategic plan. NSWRU staff members delivered these courses exclusively. Radio communication devices between the referee and referee coach were more widely used at all levels of rugby enhancing coaching outcomes in the development of referees. The success of this initiative was such that the communications equipment hire for 2005 has been doubled to take advantage of obvious benefits to referee development. Referees finally entered the computer age with an integrated referee management database being developed in 2004. The Referee Management System is computer based referee appointments tool, which manages the NSWRU referee appointments and database. The system was developed by Ian Porter, a referee with NSWRU, to a requirement written by our department. The system was so successful in 2005 that its use is to be extended to all appointments, both senior and junior within Metropolitan Sydney in 2005 and beyond. NSWRU delivered an extensive range of referee development and education activities throughout 2004 with eight referee seminars and education nights and four referee coach seminars being conducted throughout the season. In addition, NSWRU provided education material to District and Country associations for use at their education and development activities. MyRugbyAdmin (the ARU database) was completely revamped for referees in NSW after a number of years of disuse. All associations and referees are now on the database and it is finally fully functional in relation to the management of match official accreditation. In 2004 George Ayoub and Matt Goddard joined the ranks of professional refereeing, accepting contracts with the ARU. Both referees have been appointed to Super 12 and International fixtures in 2004. NSWRU continues to develop young referees who are likely to referee at the highest levels. Referees such as James Leckie, James Scholtens and Brad Wahl continue to perform well while new referees such as Nathan Pearce have emerged in 1st grade in 2004. John McCarthy was again voted the Referee of the Year by the Premier Club Coaches in 2004 and was awarded the inaugural Dick Byers Medal.