James Vella
| DOB | 6 June 1989 |
| First Society | St George Referees (Sydney, Australia) |
| Joined Grade 1 List | 2020 |
| Joined Full-Time List: | 2022 |
James Vella will provide an Australian accent in the Full-Time Squad in 2022, although he has been appointed following his performances in the UK game over the last two seasons. Originally from Sydney, he began refereeing with the St George Society, and his Rugby League heroes include the great Jack Gibson – as well as Andrew Johns and Andy Farrell.
He was selected in the squad of officials for the 2020 Betfred Super League Play-Offs, at the end of his first season on the Grade 1 list. In 2022, Vella refereed the Betfred League One promotion final between Swinton and Doncaster before being a touch judge and video referee at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup
James made his Betfred Super League refereeing debut in a 2023 fixture between Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants.