Ethan Klein Earns NRL Debut as Match Official #174
The Parramatta District Rugby League Referees Association is immensely proud to announce a monumental milestone for one of our own. Ethan Klein will make his NRL debut this Thursday, 3rd September 2026, as a Touch Judge for the last round clash between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium. In doing so, Ethan earns the prestigious distinction of becoming NRL Match Official #174.
Ethan’s journey to the top level of rugby league officiating began back in 2014 when he first picked up the whistle with Parramatta Referees at just 13 years of age. Hailing from a distinguished refereeing pedigree, Ethan was exposed to the high standards of the trade early on. However, it was his own natural athletic talent and composure that set him apart from the start.
During his early days running around in the local Parramatta District competition, Ethan’s potential was undeniable. He rapidly progressed through the Parramatta ranks, earning the Junior Referee of the Year award in 2017 while also being selected to represent the Association at the U12’s National Schoolboys Carnival in Melbourne during the same year.
That early success paved the way for a remarkable rise through the pathway competitions. Ethan entered the NSWRL Junior Representative program in 2019, making his Harold Matthews debut in the middle during his inaugural season, followed swiftly by an SG Ball debut the very next year. By 2022, Ethan had reached the absolute peak of the Junior Rep ranks, earning the pinnacle appointment to referee the SG Ball Grand Final at CommBank Stadium. His outstanding campaign was topped off by his peers in the squad, who voted him the Referees’ Referee and recipient of the prestigious Michael Ryan Medal.
Following his standout 2022 junior rep season, Ethan was graded into the NSWRL High Performance Squad as member #1029. His ascension through the ranks was swift, earning appointments across Jersey Flegg, Sydney Shield, and the Ron Massey Cup within his first couple of seasons. In 2024, he continued to inch closer to the top flight, making his touchline debut in both the NSW Cup and NRLW competitions.
The milestones kept coming in June 2025 when Ethan earned his first middle appointment in the NSW Cup for the Round 13 match between the Rabbitohs and the Warriors at Redfern Oval. He capped off that impressive year on NRL Grand Final day, running the touchline for the NRLW Grand Final between the Roosters and Broncos at Accor Stadium – the very venue where he now takes his next major step.
Building on a consistent and commanding season in the NSW Cup, Ethan was rewarded earlier this year with a debut as an NRLW referee in Round 1, controlling the clash between the Tigers and Eels at CommBank Stadium. His composed performances week in and week out made it clear that an NRL debut was well within reach.
At just 25 years of age, that moment has officially arrived. Ethan’s accelerated rise through the pathway is a testament to his dedication, learnedness, and willingness to grab every opportunity with both hands. From Darling St Park to the bright lights of Accor Stadium, everyone at Parramatta Referees stands behind Ethan, wishing him the absolute best for his debut and what is sure to be a long and illustrious career at the highest level of rugby league.
