Parramatta Referees Celebrate Top Referees with Exclusive Media Day

On Tuesday, September 3rd, Parramatta Referees hosted an exclusive media afternoon at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence, showcasing the top three referees in the district. The event featured the presence of Parramatta Referees Director of Refereeing & Development, Ethan Murray, NSWRL CEO David Trodden, Parramatta Junior League General Manager Adam Fairley, Operations Manager Martina Bialluch & Multimedia Coordinator Tim Gray.

To elevate the prestige of receiving grand final appointments, our top referees were treated to a special photo shoot, followed by a series of media interviews. The referees in the spotlight were Olivia Lawne, Mark Harvey, and Bailey Clark (M).

The referees were unaware of their grand final appointments at the time, adding to the suspense of the afternoon. The announcement was eventually made later that night in a unique setting, different from previous years, in the Brad Fittler Lounge upstairs at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence.

Grand final appointments are increasingly becoming more prestigious and harder to earn. With the NRL's player development framework in place, the competition landscape is shifting. This season, the U9’s and U10’s games became non-competitive, and by 2025 and 2026, the U11’s and U12’s will follow suit, respectively.

In officiating, unlike playing, you don't leave the field with a win or loss. The dedication of our officials to consistently maintain high standards throughout the season is commendable. It's moments like these that serve as small yet significant victories, and it’s essential to savor and celebrate them.

NSWRL CEO David Trodden emphasised the crucial role referees play in the game, stating, "Referees have played a critical role, the NRL referees have moved into the facility at Sydney Olympic Park and they have been a great addition to the fabric to our organisation.”

Trodden highlighted the often-overlooked importance of officials, remarking, "Everyone says it, but it’s true without referees we don’t have a game.”

He also expressed his pride in supporting grassroots development, saying, “One of the partial highlights for me has been the opportunity to provide Parramatta Referees with the capacity to train at our facilities and hopefully give our young referees in the Parramatta District access to the best facilities so they can be the best referees possible”

Parramatta Referees Director of Refereeing & Development, Ethan Murray, praised Olivia Lawne's exceptional performance, stating, "Olivia has consistently delivered outstanding results over an extended period. Her hard work, attitude, and demeanor truly reflect her character."

Murray further highlighted the significance of her recent appointment, saying, "It is an absolute honour to appoint the first-ever female to the number one game in the district. With 77 years of rich history, Olivia now stands as the first female to be given this prestigious role." 

He also acknowledged the evolving landscape of the sport, adding, "The game is changing, and more women are stepping into officiating roles. This season, we’ve seen our largest number of female referees in the Association, many of whom have excelled. This is an exciting development for the future of our Association."

Parramatta Referees are pleased to announce the top three grand final officiating appointments for the weekend of September 7-8, 2024.

Saturday, September 7, 2024

C.V. Kelly Park

 Sunday, September 8, 2024

Ringrose Park