ARU Elite Referees Update
Season 2008 is already underway for many of the referees on the various ARU panels. The Super 14 is moving along rapidly and State ‘A’ games are also being played. The ARU referee panels for 2008 are:
A Panel for 2008 Brett Bowden (ACT), Stuart Dickinson (NSW), Matt Goddard (NSW), James Leckie (NSW), Paul Marks (QLD) and Ian Smith (QLD). Ian is a new addition to the National A Panel, having graduated from the academy programme. Stuart has recently returned from Europe where he officiated at the England v Ireland 6 Nations match and Ian has recently returned from refereeing in Wellington and San Diego on the IRB Sevens circuit.
The B Panel includes; Geoff Acton (QLD), Daniel Cheever (NSW), Angus Gardner (NSW), Steve Hardy (NSW), Andrew Lees (NSW), Grant MacNeill (NSW) Damian Mitchelmore (NSW), Simon Moore (QLD), Nathan Pearce (NSW), Julian Pritchard (NSW) and James Scholtens (NSW). Congratulations to Angus, Steve, Andrew and Simon on their promotion to this panel for 2008. They have all made their way through the development panel to reach this level and thoroughly deserve their promotion and recognition.
This years National Development Panel consists of; John Christophersen (QLD), Andrew Coorey (QLD), Richard Goswell (NSW), Paul Haydock (QLD), Stephen Hill (QLD), Craig Hills (QLD), Nathan Kearns (ACT), Steve Leszczynski (QLD), Anthony Moyes (NSW), Callan O’Neill (NSW), Paul Twomey (QLD), Daylan Waetford (WA) and Tim Willis (ACT).
As has been the case for some seasons now, Sarah Corrigan (ACT), Michelle Cosgrove (QD), and Roberta Barnett (QLD) form the National Women’s Panel. Congratulations are extended to Sarah for her wonderful achievement in receiving the iRB Women’s Personality of the Year Award for 2007.
A Community Rugby Development Panel which has its focus on referees from outside the major Rugby centres of Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra has the following members; Graham Cooper (WA), Sam Christophersen (ACT), James Hagan (SA), Lucas Hogarth (QLD Country), Daniel Kershaw (VIC), Richard Lees (NSW Country), Warren Lynch (WA), Rohen Skiba (WA), Jason Vella (NSW Country) as well as Daylan Waetford (WA), who is also a part of the National Development Panel.
The ARU Scholarship Referee position has been again filled for 2008, with Matt Kellahan from NSW being appointed.
Retired international referees Wayne Erickson, Scott Young and Andrew Cole combine to be the National Referee Selectors, while Andrew Cole assumes the role of National Coach for 2008. There are, of course, many national coaches involved at many different levels, and their involvement is greatly appreciated.
Just prior to Christmas in 2007, the Selectors joined both the ‘A’ and ‘B’ Panels at St Andrew’s College Sydney University, for a three day conference to discuss the national view for the impending year. There was a very positive and forward thinking attitude adopted by all. Discussions such as the approach to the ELV’s in the Super 14 and the Australian brand of refereeing featured amongst many other topical issues.
Matt Kellahan - ARU Scholarship Referee
