2018 MARKED THE 40TH YEAR OF GRADED REFEREES IN NSW. The history of the Blue Blazer was an idea from then Referees Director, Peter Rooney who back in 1978, noticed that when Rugby League Referees achieved their State Level Badge, they were welcomed into the NSW Rugby League Referees Association. To keep an alignment with the NRL, Peter and Richard Hamilton saw an opportunity to create a pathway for NSW Referees and something to strive for, and so the NSW Touch Referees Association was formed, and the Blue Blazer was born. As a Referee, The Level 4 Badge and Blue Blazer is what you strive for, and to have this presented to you in front of your peers is rewarding for those who achieve the honour. Another successful evening for the Referees Awards was enjoyed by all with many traveling from all over the State. This night is a night of Recognition where we officially acknowledge those who have been elevated to the ranks of State Graded Referee and those selected in the Talented Referees Youth Squad, along with recognising those who shown continued service to the Referees Arm. Over 200 Referees, family and friends took the opportunity to catch up with old friends from over the years, look through 40 years of old photos and laugh about the “old days”. Comedian Tahir, an ex-Western Suburbs Touch player himself, stole the show. He soon found out that the 200 strong contingent was here to enjoy the evening and within minutes Tahir had the large room in laughter, even inviting a few special guest Referees on stage to showcase a “Tahir Style” of Refereeing. When speaking to Deacon Cameron from the TRYS Program about our guests performance he said “How good! He really knew how to work the audience”. GRADED REFEREES 512 – Michael Almond 513 – Julie Bradley 514 – Lachlan Bradley 515 – Justin Brydon 516 – Eric Chaney 517 – Mya Cooke 518 – Keaton Dal Santo 519 – John Dingle 520 – Amy Draper 521 – Charity Elford 522 – Joshua Fishlock 523 – Paul George 524 – George Grey 525 – Todd Hull 526 - Aaron King 527 – Connor Lane 528 – Paul Lewis 529 – Warren Lynch 530 – Stephan Mann 531 – Andrew Martin 532 – Josh North 533 – Patrick Rankmore 534 – Jarrod Reedie 535 – Stephanie Webster TALENTED REFEREE YOUTH SQUAD Liam Anderson Phoebe Carter Ashley Fullick Yelson Qian Ryan Wake from Goulburn Emma Bleasdale (current) Deacon Cameron (current) Liam Eden (current) Mason Green (current) Brandon Sanderson (current) SERVICE AWARDS In recognition of continuous service to the Refereeing Arm will also be handed out on the night. 5 YEARS Joe Aboud Damon Cupitt Luke Saldern Angela Budai 10 YEARS Craig Hughes 15 YEARS Fred Fallah Peter Millington 20 YEARS John Mitchell Bernard O’Donohue Frank Scarfone 25 YEARS Craig Thomas-Schumacher 35 Years Gary Brickell REFEREE OF THE TOURNAMENT COUNTRY CHAMPS 2017 – IVAN GIAMMARCO REFEREE OF THE TOURNAMENT VAWDON CUP 2017 – KIM SKELLY REFEREE OF THE TOURNAMENT STATE CUP 2017 – ALANAH SINCLAIR REFEREE OF THE TOURNAMENT JUNIOR STATE CUP 2018 – PAUL TESORIERO REFEREE OF THE TOURNAMENT JUNIOR REGIONALS 2018 – TIM AH-SEE 2017/18 REFEREE COACH OF THE YEAR – CHRIS HARAP REFEREE REGIONAL REFEREE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 2017/18 – BEAU NEWELL 2017/18 REFEREES REFEREE – KIM SKELLY 2017 MATTHEW MEDAL – DAVID BAGGIO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WHO RECEIVED AWARDS ON THE NIGHT 40TH ANNIVERSARY REFEREE'S DINNER Keeping In Touch 2018 | 13