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Referees honoured at Grand Final Dinner.

The annual Grand Final dinner was a chance to honour all Grand Final Referees. It was also a chance to present the association's awards. This years winners were:

Most Improved Referee - Mitchell Stone. Mitchell continues to demonstrate the skill and strength that will one day take him to the NRL. His effort in Senior District Football as well as Junior Representative Squad are to be applauded.

Trainer of the year - Jake Peters-McDonald. In naming Jake, Sarge (Joe Paolini) said he demonstrated outstanding commitment, dedication and enthusiasm at every training session. Jake only missed training for League Business.

Junior Referee of the year - Jarred Kelly. Jarred came of age this year. His outstanding performaces on the field led to his appointment to the Under 13 Div 1 Grand Final and to the Under 16 Div 3 touch line.

Referee's Referee - Barry Cummins. Barry Cummins was awarded the Referee's Referee award. The only association award decided by active members. This honour comes on top of the Darkie McCall award he won earlier in the year.

Rookie of the year - Joseph Eid. Joe was a popular winner from the many rookies who excelled this year. He is one of the hardest trainers, performed well during the season and has really become a part of the association.

NRL Achievement Award - Zbigniew Przeklasa-Adamski & Jake Peters-McDonald. The NRL achievement award recognises those referees who have made the association proud during the season. Zbig was awarded the senior award after a stand-out season including an outstanding Junior Rep Season. Jake also excelled this season and was appointed to the Under 12 National consolation grand final in Darwin.

A1 Grand Final team makes history

Stephen Ellison was appointed to referee the 2008 A Grade Division 1 Grand Final. He will be assisted by Bernard Biala and Kasey Campbell. This team has made history this season.

For Steve, it will be his fourth straight Grand Final as referee. No other referee has officiated in 4 grand finals.

Bernard Biala is touch judged for a record equalling 5th time. He is well on his way to holding the record for most touch lines.

Kasey Campbell will be officiating in her first A1 Grand Final, but in doing so becomes the first woman to be appointed to this game.

All three performed exceptionally.

Dutchy appointed to State of Origin 1.

Paul ‘Dutchy” Holland – If you were watching the State of Origin on Wednesday Night, you might have seen a bloke with a Red Flag and AAMI scrawled across it resembling Casper the Friendly Ghost. Well that was Dutchy, Life Member of Parramatta Referees and Legend of the NRL Referees Squad was appointed to his First State Of Origin Touchline in Game 1 @ ANZ Stadium. Dutchy has been a great SO at all levels of the game including a great Referee at one stage in 2nd Division A Grade in the Parra District. His hard work and commitment has paid off and elevates The Parra Refs again to the highest levels that can be achieved. Fingers crossed that the assessors liked him that much that he gets a gig in Origin 2. It’s a huge atmosphere at Suncorp even as a spectator. Congratulations Dutchy!!!!

Stephen Ellison gets the Harold Matthews Grand Final

Stephen Ellison – Last Saturday refereed the Harold Matthews Grand Final between Parramatta and Penrith. This is one of the two Grand Finals on offer for the Junior Rep Squad and is always fiercely contested. From all reports, he has had a very good year and was unlucky not to be appointed to the SG Ball Grand Final. As reported earlier he is training with the Premier Squad and the coaching staff are impressed with his progress there. Congratulations to Stephen and we wish him well for the coming weeks as there is always the possibility of him being graded into the Premier Squad!!!

Daniel Eastwood and Gavin Reynolds make NRL debuts

In Round 4, Parramatta Referees continued its standing as providing quality match officials to the highest levels of the game of Rugby League

Daniel Eastwood and Gavin Reynolds made their debut in the NRL as sideline officials

Daniel Eastwood – Member of the Premier League Squad has been appointed to his debut game in NRL as a Sideline Official. This is a great reward for all his hard work and hopefully will lead to a more permanent position in the future. His debut was in the Dragons vs Cowboys match at Win Stadium.

Gavin Reynolds – Member of the NRL Squad as a Multi skilled official has also been appointed to his debut game in NRL as a Sideline Official. Gavin has worked hard in recent times and moved quickly into the NRL ranks. Another hard working member it’s a reward for those efforts and a first step into refereeing in NRL. His debut was in the Canberra vs Wests Tigers match at Canberra Stadium.

The Association congratulates both members and wishes the well for their future careers.

Kasey & Zbig make their Harold Matthews Debut, Steve Ellison trains with Premier League

Kasey Campbell and Zbigniew Przeklasa-Adamski have been rewarded for their efforts in the Junior Representative ranks by debuts in Harold Matthews appointments in recent weeks.

They join Stephen Ellison, Warrick Bowden and Mitchell Stone as centre officials.

Steve's career is also hitting a new high with being invited to train with the Premier League squad as well. He has made some big in-roads this season.

Congrats to all for their outstanding efforts.

Sarge becomes a Grandfather

Sergeant Slaughter became a grandfather for the first time yesterday!!

A bouncing baby girl Ava Jade Paolini born Westmead Private Hospital 6.27pm 3.5kg 51cm

And no Sarge will not be mellowing because of this!!

Gavin Reynolds and Gerrard Sutton join the NRL team

CONGRATULATIONS – goes to Gavin “FUNKY” Reynolds and Gerard Sutton. Both of these guys have been offered Part Time Positions in the NRL Squad.

Like the current squad of sideline officials they will attend training on Mondays for the whole day, then participate on Thursdays in a session during the morning. Both guys have worked really hard to achieve what they have.

Gerard refereed the Jersey Flegg Grand Final in 2007 and Funky continuing to have a consistent position in Premier League. Both guys will still referee, however they will considered for running lines in the future.

Gerard has already been a Semi Final SO and currently participating in NRL as an SO. Funky will be looking to make his debut in the not too distant future. Well done and GOOD LUCK for the season

Mark Bej endorsed as Life Member

The Annual General Meeting endorsed Mark Bej to receive the associations highest honour, Life Membership of our organisation.

Mark's outstanding contribution to the association was recognised. He has spent many years coaching and training referees, and has assisted with photography and executive rolls.

Mark will formally be welcomed at the 2008 life members dinner.

Ashley Klein referees SuperLeague Grand Final & Centenary Test Match

Ashley Klein continues to conquer the world after officiating in the Super League Grand Final.

Ashley put in a great performance in the match between St Helens and Leeds.

His success saw him appointed to the Centenary match between England and the New Zealand "All Golds".

Mark Bej takes out Golf Day

On 1 October, Parramatta Referees gathered at Leonay Golf Course for our annual golf day.

Mark Bej won the day with an impressive 88 over the 18 hole course. Peter Katar came in second.

Andrew Essey took out the prestigeous Bradman award, for the highest score.

Although numbers were down on previous years, a great day was had by all.

Parramatta Referees make their mark in the Jersey Flegg Grand Final

As you might have seen on Sunday in the Jersey Flegg Grand Final Daniel Eastwood was appointed as a Sideline Official. This was Daniel’s second appointment to such a fixture, although a little more prestigious this time as it was part of NRL Grand Final Day. Daniel was appointed as a Sideline Official in 2003 to the Grand Final of a Nine Week Jersey Flegg Competition between Canterbury and Cronulla. It was also a little bit of history as it could quite possibly be the Final Jersey Flegg Competition with the Toyota Cup U/20 competition beginning in 2008

We congratulate Daniel on his appointment and hope he continues his good form and into a position in the NRL Squad in the Future.

Presentation Night - Award Winners

The association held its presentation night with 75 members in attendance.

The Award Winners were announced and a tribute paid to the A Grade team of Stephen Ellison, Bernard Biala & Philip Sung.

Ken McNaught paid tribute to all referees for their services during the season.

The recepients are:

A Grade Grand Final Referee - Stephen Ellison
Most Improved - Graham Inskip & Philip Sung
Junior Achievement - Nick Burton
Referee's Referee - Zbigniew Przeklasa-Adamski
Rookie - Gavin Role
Trainer - Stephen Ellison
NRL - Jake Peters-McDonald (Junior) & Jason Ndeira (Senior)

A full list of recepients is available from our Honours Page.

Grand Final Appointment News

Gavin Reynolds - Refereed the Jim Beam Cup Minor Semi Final last weekend, The Entrance vs Sydney Bulls. Due to his appointment in Samoa to the Pacific Championships he won't be in action this weekend, however we hope he is appointed to Week 2 of the Flegg and Premier League Semi Final Series.

Paul Holland - He is a Life Member of the Association and NRL Squad Member as a Sideline Official. He has been appointed to assist Paul Simpkins in the Telstra Premiership Quarter Final (3) North Qld Cowboys vs (6) Bulldogs in Townsville on Saturday Night. Dutchy has had a great year and hopefully he can continue his purple patch of form and work his way through to Grand Final Day.

Stephen Ellison, Bernard Biala, and Phillip Sung - This group of officials have for 3 years in a row been together to complete the highest appointment the Association can offer. In the records which are kept in the Annual Report and by the Association since 1967, having the same three officials appointed to the First Division Grand Final has not been achieved. Congratulations to all three members on their consistency and work ethic to achieve this result.

This will be Bernie Biala's 4th consecutive Grand Final, which is one behind Ken Beahan who was appointed to 5 consecutive Grand Finals as Touch Judge between 1989 and 1993. Finally, many members have tried to achieve three consecutive Grand Final appointments as a Referee. Steve has now become the first to be appointed to 3 consecutive Grand Finals as a Referee.

Congratulations and enjoy the Match.

Baby News

Congrats to Jarrad Whitby and partner who gave birth to a baby boy on 21 August. The baby weighed 3.8kg named Ethan.

Ashley Klein appointed Carnegie Challenge Cup Final referee

Former Parramatta A Grade referee, Ashley Klein has been appointed as match referee for the 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final between Catalans Dragons and St Helens at Wembley (Saturday 25th August 2007 - ko 3pm).

The 27 year old official who began his career with the London and the South society is a member of the RFL's full-time match officials squad.

Commenting on his appointment Ashley Klein said: "It is a great honour to be officiating in the first Carnegie Challenge Cup Final to be played at the new Wembley Stadium. Rugby League's return to that venue is tremendous for the sport at all levels and it is exciting to be involved."

Klein has previously refereed the 2005 engage Super League Grand Final as well as Test matches between Australia and New Zealand and Australia and France.

He was also named the RFL's referee of the year in 2005 after making his debut as a Super League referee in 2003.

The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final match officials team in full is as follows:

Referee: Ashley Klein.

Touch Judges: Stuart Marshall and James Child.

Reserve referee: Richard Silverwood

Reserve Touch: Judge Steve Wright.

Video Referee: Phil Bentham.

Match Commissioner: John Connolly

Trivia Night a success

The association trivia night held on Friday 6 July was deemed a success with over $2000.00 being raised.

About 120 people turned out for a night of great entertainment and fun. The MC, Lewis South, did a fantastic job in presenting the trivia and the auctions.

Bernard Biala's team won the battle of the wits.

A big thank you to all of our supporters for the evening, especially Parramatta Leagues Club, Mirvac Hotels, Active Hire and Maersk Logistics.

Alan Pollock awarded the Darkie McCall Award

Alan Pollock was awarded the Darkie McCall Award at the annual Ladies night.

Alan was recognised for his hard work and dedication as Assistant Secretary, Coaching Panel member and as an Appointments Panel member.

Alan joins Max Dunn and Kevin Jeffes as only the third person to win the award twice. However he is the first to win the award for a second time immediately after becoming eligible.

Alan embodies the strength and dedication of the organisation and is truly a worthy winner.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR ANOTHER PARRA REF

In 2006, The Inaugural Premier Squad was created and many of our members were a part of the creation of the culture and rewards that came from the hard work and effort. During the off season of 2006/2007 a number of the senior members for The Inter District Representative Squad were asked to step up and train with the Premier Squad. During the 2007 trial period they were also given opportunities to show their wares in Trial Matches in Premier League, Jim Beam Cup and Jersey Flegg.

On Monday the 5th of March, it was announced that one of our members, CHRIS SUTTON, would become a permanent member of the Premier League Squad.

CONGRATULATIONS Chris on the efforts you have put in so far to elevate your career one step closer to the top. Whilst only being at Parramatta a short time, Chris has been a guiding light for all of our members who aspire to being at the top. His diligence on the training field as well as his on field performances show the hallmarks of the Traditions that Parramatta Referees have created and aspired to over the past 60 years.