Tallon Smith

Emerging rugby league match officials on the South Coast are set to benefit from a specialised development program after inaugural Illawarra South Coast Referee Academy was launched last week. 

Supported by both the Group 7 and Illawarra competitions and their respective referee associations, the academy comprises 28 referees between the ages of 15 and 19, and eight referee coaches from across the region.

Southern Corridor Referee Development Officer Ryan Micallef said that the program aims to ensure the retention of referees through an identified drop-off point in numbers.

“The academy was established to address the dropout of younger match officials during their teenage years, a challenge faced by almost every referee association,” he said.

“The transition from juniors to seniors is the most vulnerable point in the community referee pathway. 

“Without structured support, many capable referees simply disengage before reaching the senior ranks. 

“This program ensures we are not only developing the technical skills required to officiate at senior level, but also maintaining engagement and connection throughout that progression. 

“When young officials feel supported, see improvement in their skills, and understand how they progress into senior officiating, they are significantly more likely to remain in the game long term.”

The program, which offers structured coaching, targeted skill development, and consistent mentoring focuses on key components of officiating, such as tackle identification and ruck vocab, positioning and movement, and knowledge of the laws of the game.

To further complement the theoretical and practical knowledge gained in the program, Micallef said that referees within the program will have the opportunity to officiate in higher level matches including those in the country’s top secondary schools competition.

“In addition to their regular association appointments, Academy referees are provided with opportunities to officiate at NRL-run events such as Southern NSW Championships, Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cup fixtures, and gala days,” he said. 

“At academy sessions, participants receive specialised technical coaching within a higher-performance environment, along with increased access to one-on-one coaching support that may not typically be available at community level. 

“This combination of exposure and individualised coaching accelerates their development and enhances their readiness for senior officiating.”

With the academy being the first of its kind, Micallef has hopes to expand the program to adjacent areas in the Southern Corridor region, which includes the St George and Cronulla-Sutherland districts, after strong growth in referee numbers across the region.

“Referee numbers have grown strongly over the past 12 months, with 2025 recording a 21 percent increase across the Southern Corridor,” he said. 

“Community refereeing is becoming increasingly popular, particularly within the 13s, 14s and 15s age groups. 

“For many young people, it provides a practical way to stay involved in the game, maintain fitness and earn match payments. 

“We are currently on track for further double-digit growth in 2026 in my area, which reinforces the growing appeal and value of refereeing at a grassroots level.”

Meanwhile, the excitement about the program is also shared by the respective local leagues, who will benefit from the boost in referee numbers.

Group 7 Rugby League Operations Manager Ashton Sims said that the establishment of the academy marks a significant step forward for the sport across the Illawarra and South Coast regions.

“This Academy is designed to help support the development, education and mentoring of match officials locally, in turn ensuring that our competitions are supported by well-trained, confident and capable referees,” he said.

“For Group 7, this means improved consistency and quality in officiating across all grades, stronger pathways for young referees to progress through the system and better support structures to retain officials in the game. 

“Just as we focus on developing Players and Coaches, it is critical that we provide the same structured pathway for Referees.

“We are excited about this first of its kind initiative, which isn’t just about Rugby League today, it’s about building a stronger, more sustainable Rugby League environment for years to come.”