New South Wales Rugby Referees Association Inc. Established 1892 Annual Report 2019 127th Annual Report and Financial Statement NSW Rugby Referees Association c/- NSW Rugby Union Locked Bag 1222 Paddington NSW 2021 OFFICE BEARERS CONTENTS OFFICE BEARERS ......................................................................................... 2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT .................................................................................. 3 NSWRU REFEREE DEPARTMENT REPORT ................................................... 7 NSWRU REFEREE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT ........................ 10 AWARDS .................................................................................................... 12 GRAND FINAL REFEREES .......................................................................... 14 WORLD RUGBY AND SUPER RUGBY REFEREE APPOINTMENTS (2019) 15 FIRST GRADE APPOINTMENTS .................................................................. 16 ALL APPOINTMENTS for 2019 ................................................................... 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................................................... 23 NSWRRA Annual Report 2019 i OFFICE BEARERS OFFICE BEARERS Patron Cliff Dodds OAM President Tim Wills Secretary John Stormon Treasurer Phil Baird General Member Mitchell De Lorenzo Honorary Legal Advisor Callan O’Neill Life Members Richard Byres OAM Cliff Dodds OAM Robert Fordham Ian Fraser Anthony Garling Roger Higgins Brian Kinsey Sandy MacNeill Peter Marshall John McCarthy Kevin Meyer OAM John Miner OAM Jim O’Donnell Thomas Sheen Norm Stevens Robin Timmins OAM NSWRRA Annual Report 2019 2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT PRESIDENT’S REPORT As seems to be becoming the norm for the association 2019 was yet another busy, but successful year for the Association both on and off the field. As we embarked on the significant job of moving the association to more of a self-sufficient body, a significant amount of work went on behind the scenes in understanding both the existing framework and how roles and responsibilities currently flow, whilst also working to design what we hope to be the best practice model for our members, which will stand the test of time and will allow the association to meet the ever evolving pressures of the modern game. On the field we continue to service the game of rugby in Sydney. The Shute Shield continues to grow in popularity, and once again was extremely competitive with all teams improving across the year. The Suburban competition continues to thrive and the women’s game continues to grow in both quality of rugby and teams involved which is fantastic to see. 2019 saw the schools competition begin to evolve with the continuation of discussions between the GPS and CAS as they look to move the game forward for all participants. Without doubt from a community perspective 2019 was another very successful year. Off Field 2019 for me will be remembered for the unveiling of the full scale of the task that is ahead of us as we look to restructure ourselves to become a more self-sufficient and successful association. I spoke at length at the AGM at the start of this year of the work to be done around this and made a commitment to you all to move the association towards this preferred this position. Unfortunately, I may have been a little naïve as to the current complexity around reporting channels, and willingness of all required parties to move on from the ‘status quo’ as we look to improve the environment and transparency of refereeing within NSW. As such things did unfortunately not progress as far as I would have liked in 2019 and for that I apologise. I assure you that should I be re-elected I and the committee will remain committed to improving the level of transparency and structures and in doing so making NSWRRA the best association it can be. We continue to work closely with NSWRU and relevant stake holders and in February of this year, have had a significant win with new Rugby AU manager Shane Barr, in gaining his support for the introduction of a new development structure which will provide a clearer pathway for both referees and coaches alike, whilst also aligning with the new Rugby Australia model. I am hopeful this will be implemented immediately and with success in 2020. There were several opportunities to celebrate as a group. The Shute Shield debut of David Conway was well attended and speaks volumes to the character of David and the way he has ingratiated himself within the refereeing community in such a short period of time. The major celebration this season however was that of the career of James Leckie who called time on an incredible refereeing career within NSWRRA, Rugby AU and World Rugby. James was tunnelled from the field by the two teams in his final game in a fitting gesture which encapsulates the level of respect that everyone in rugby has for him. James, thank you for your years of service to rugby across the globe, but more specifically here at the NSWRRA and congratulations on an incredible career. Our game is better for having you as part of it, and I hope your involvement will continue into the future. The primary event on the social calendar came with the Annual Presentation and Awards evening, held at the magnificent Four Seasons Hotel. I think all will agree that the venue once again delivered a memorable night. Unfortunately, despite announcing our date months in advance a conflict with a pre-world cup hit out for the Wallabies and the only test in Sydney led to a slightly lower attendance than we would have liked. We were lucky to be joined by NSWRRA Annual Report 2019 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT several our life members, as well as the wider membership, to celebrate another successful year of refereeing within Sydney. Furthermore, it was so pleasing to see so many partners in attendance at this year’s function, the support and understanding of our endeavours from our better halves is important to recognise, and without it we wouldn’t be the Association we are. Thank you to all who came to celebrate the season that was, to David Marshall for a fantastic toast to rugby and congratulations to all award winners. National Conference I was fortunate enough to once again attend the National Referees Conference held in Canberra this year. This fantastic initiative from RA allows the Presidents from around the country to get together in a room and share knowledge, whilst also working to assist the RA with the key issues each association is experiencing. Hearing from the other associations, it made me so proud to be representing you all, and for the special things we have within our team. I thank the RA for their kind hospitality and commitment to refereeing across the country. It is pleasing the work this group has done with a review of playing conditions, education structures, referee payment and re-imbursement, recruitment and strategies to deal with abuse and competition all moving forward as a result of these conferences over the last three years. Training 2019 saw the continuation of three trainings a week across Sydney. It was fantastic to see these sessions so well attended, and the number of referees across all grades really improve their levels of fitness. Well done to all who attended. Referee Abuse Unfortunately, 2019 was not the year we had hoped for on this front with a significant increase in the number of serious issues reported. Thank you to all referees who took the time to report these incidents. This effort has gone a long way to ensuring a safe environment is present for all match officials at every ground, whilst also allowing us to create a quantified case of repeat offenders to take to the relevant competitions for action. I am pleased to advise that despite these unsavoury incidents having taken place, we continue to have the support of the Suburban Rugby judiciary with some significant penalties handed down including 4 suspensions of a year or over as a result of these reports. Unfortunately, Premier Rugby remains a work in progress on this front and your Executive continue to work closely to close this gap and have some strategies in place around how we address this moving forward. As part of this, we will be looking to introduce a new role for someone within the association to address these issues moving forward as it has unfortunately become a full time role within our duties and one which requires a dedicated resource to handle moving forward as we seek to provide an environment across all of rugby, where everyone is in a safe and enjoyable environment. On Field Once again, the demands on us to supply referees to more and more competitions increased. As a body made up entirely of volunteers, you should all be very proud of the efforts you’ve all gone to this season. The number of games and tournaments which have gone ahead thanks to our referees continues to grow each year, and our membership continues to service the needs of our game in a professional manner and to a high standard. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you for the way you carry yourselves and represent our Association. NSWRRA Annual Report 2019 4 PRESIDENT’S REPORT As an association we are lucky enough to have representation at the highest levels, and I would like to highlight a few of these, and congratulate all these referees on an incredible personal achievement, but also thank them for representing us all on the global stage with so much class. Some of these include: Angus Gardner RWC (France v Argentina, Japan v Ireland, Wales v Uruguay), Test Matches (Wales v Ireland, Argentina v New Zealand), Super Rugby Amy Perrett WR’s Women’s Rugby Super Series, Super W, WR Sevens, AR Super Rugby George Ayoub TMO Six Nations, TMO New Zealand v France Series, TMO Super Rugby Ian Smith TMO Super Rugby James Leckie Super Rugby AR, TMO Japan v All Blacks James Quinn NRC and Super W Matt Kellahan NRC Dru Tonks NRC The Association provides a sense of unity to its members in what is largely a solo pursuit.