More than 250 match officials from across the professional and community game came together this weekend for the inaugural British Rugby League Referees Club Annual Awards – a celebration of match officials’ achievements in 2023.
Hosted by the newly-founded British Rugby League Referees Club on the eve of Saturday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final, the ceremony saw presentations to the referees of this year’s Men’s Challenge Cup Final, and the Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals – Chris Kendall, Liam Moore and Liam Rush – and to the other Super League Grand Final match officials: touch judges Johnny Roberts and Richard Thompson, video referee Chris Kendall, reserve referee Tom Grant and reserve touch judge Dean Bowmer.
Part of the evening was dedicated to a new heritage programme which acknowledges historic achievements. Former match officials Bob Connolly and Robert Hicks received commemorative shirts decorated with their debut appointments and heritage numbers. The referees club aims to extend this project to include Super League touch judges in the future.
The community game also featured prominently, with officials from across the country being recognised for their performance during 2023, and some of the game’s unsung heroes were presented with gifts from event partner Seven Brothers as part of the referees club’s commitment to improve the experiences of match officials at all levels of the game.
An auction and raffle of items kindly donated raised money for much needed kit and equipment for community match officials.
The referees club was established earlier this year to bring together match officials of all ages and stages to share ideas and best practice, to create networking and social opportunities, and to acknowledge achievements.
The RFL’s Acting Head of Match Officials, Dave Elliott, said: “It’s great to see our community and professional match officials come together like this to celebrate the achievements they have all made in the past season. I look forward to seeing the event become a prominent part of the match officials calendar in the coming years.”
Awards and sponsors
Professional awards
Challenge Cup Final Referee – Chris Kendall
Super League Grand Final Referee – Liam Moore
Women’s Super League Grand Final Referee – Liam Rush
Elite Touch Judge of the Year – Johnny Roberts
Select Group Referee of the Year – Mike Smaill
Select Group Touch Judge of the Year – Simon Ellis
Emerging/Entry Referee of the Year – Sam Jenkinson
Emerging/ Entry Touch Judge of the Year – Cameron Charnock
Community awards
Women and Girl’s Programme Senior Match Official of the Year – Beth Neilson
Women and Girl’s Programme Junior Match Official of the Year – Esmai Wright
Cumbrian Match Official of the Year – Craig Regan
London and South Match Official of the Year – Henry Winnard
North West Junior Referee of the Year – Liam Breheny
North West Senior Referee of the Year – Jordan Greenhalgh
Yorkshire Junior Referee of the Year – Liam Grundy
Yorkshire Senior Match Official of the Year – Danny Tindall
Midlands and South West Match Official of the Year – Lewis Collins
BUCS/College Match Official of the Year – James Collins
Unsung Heroes Awards (Sponsored by Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co)
Jayden Covell
Becky Whiteley
Danny Tindall
Martyn Leech
Kieron Marno
Nick Bennett
Kristian Silcock
Matt Charnock
Sponsors
Main sponsor – Kingfisher Lighting
Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co
Warrington Referees Society
AB Sundecks
Acme Whistles
Ronseal
Oxen
Yorkshire Men’s League
Yorkshire Juniors League
Pennine League
BARLA
Elior
