Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society

News

Ryan 2nd from left

Ryan Collins from Whitehaven was selected to officiate as a Touch Judge at the prestigious Carnegie Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final prior to the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final on Saturday which involved Dowdales School from Barrow and Temple Moor from Leeds. The Carnegie Champion Schools tournament is the largest Rugby League knockout competition in the world and has continued to grow in 2010 with a record breaking 29,837 young people taking part. This year the Carnegie Champion Schools involved over 500 schools across the UK, including 1,572 boys’ teams and 216 girls’ teams.

Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society Young Referee of the Year

Workington Towns coach Gary Charlton congratulates Shane Armstrong from Workington on becoming the Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society Young Referee of the Year. Shane has had a successful year refereeing within the West Cumbria Youth & Junior Leagues and this year will take the step up and officiate in Cumberland open age games this coming season.

Cumbria V BARLA

Brian Armstrong (TJ) Gareth Hewer (Referee) Ryan Collins (TJ)

Pictured along with the Captains of Cumbria & BARLA before the game in aid of
The Garry Purdham Memorial Trust held at Copeland Stadium on 14th August

Ryan Collins from Whitehaven is one of seven Rugby League Match Officials from across the country having been selected to officiate in the Carnegie Champion Schools Finals and ultimately a chance to referee at Wembley in the curtain raiser to the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final in August. Ryan first started officiating whilst at school after attending a RFL match official’s course based at St.Benidicts School in 2008 and has officiated in the West Cumbria Youth & Junior League and the Carnegie Champion Schools competitions for last 2 years. “Ryan has made fantastic progress since taking the course back in 2008 and his commitment, attitude are to be applauded and its just reward for his efforts” said Peter Wharton the RFL`s Match Officials Development Officer for the region. “All seven officials will spend a full day training down at Leeds Carnegie with the RFL`s full time match officials in August prior to the event, they will train and analysing match officials performances which will give them an insight to see what it takes to be a RFL full time match official” added Wharton.

Pictured are recently qualified Match Official Robert Scott from Workington along with the captains from Lakes & Netherhall Colleges before the Carnegie College 9`s hosted at St Benedict’s School, Whitehaven.

Workington Town RLFC Respect Presentation

Workington Town Scholarship Players

A RESPECT presentation was held at Workington Town RLFC last Wednesday (17-3-10)
and was attended by the clubs scholarship players and staff. The evening revolved around RFL`s RESPECT programme, which is a code of conduct for players, coaches, match officials, spectators and volunteers within the game of rugby league and with the conclusion of the evening everybody attending had a better understanding of what their roles and responsibilities they have within the game of rugby league.

Whitehaven RLFC Respect Presentation

A RESPECT presentation held at Whitehaven RLFC on Monday 26th January and was attended by the clubs u14 scholarship players and staff, the evening being presented by Peter Wharton the RFL`s Match Officials Development Officer for the region. The evening revolved around RFL`s RESPECT programme, which is a code of conduct for players, coaches, match officials, spectators and volunteers within the game of rugby league and with the conclusion of the evening everybody attending had a better understanding of what their roles and responsibilities they have within the game of rugby league.

RFL Copeland Volunteer Awards

Pictured are Ryan Collins (left) & Jackie Beech (right) from the Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society with their RFL Volunteer Awards. Ryan Collins received the Young Volunteer of the Year for his contribution to rugby league via officiating to the community and within school games whilst Jackie Beech received the Volunteer of the Year for his contribution to the community game as the C.A.R.L.A. fixture secretary and his contribution to several committees within the game.

Westlake’s Academy

Pictured are pupils from Westlake’s Academy, in Egremont after successfully gaining a RFL 13 Aside Match Official award, the course held in partnership with the RFL culminated in 13 students gaining the qualification. “The newly qualified officials will have an opportunity to officiate over the coming weeks within the school and put the skills and knowledge which they have acquired into practice” said Peter Wharton Match Officials Development Officer for the region.

RFL Junior Match Officials National Camp 2009

The RFL` Junior Match Officials National Camp was held last weekend at Hopwood Hall & the Norton Grange Hotel near Rochdale, the event was planned to coincide with the Gillette u18`s Regional Carnival at Hopwood Hall which saw sides from Yorkshire, the North West, the Midlands, Scotland, the North and London & the South in action. The match officials from Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria & the South attending the camp officiated within the carnival in roles from refereeing, touch judging & in-goal judging. The camp was held over two days started prior to the carnival with a practical touch judging session upon which the officials put their match officiating skills to the test within the carnival. The first day concluded with a Game Review Session which looked into evaluating the performance of a match official and how to monitor their progress. Day two consisted of sessions including Mental & Presentational Skills as well as a Nutritional talk by Warrington Wolves Player Performance Manager, Ben Lazenby. The RFL`s Match Officials Development Officers supported by Louise Greenhaigh, Bob Smithies & Steve Greenhaigh hailed the event a huge success “With the RFL`s continuing support these young match officials will continue to develop on the performance pathway which can only benefit the community & professional game”

Pictured
Brian Armstrong (Treasurer) Tony Johnston (Chairman)

Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society has just received a cheque for £4350 via Sport England, the award is from Sport England Small Grants Programme which has been set up to support local community sport projects which seek to increase participation, sustain participation or develop opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport. Tony Johnston society chairman said “This funding will support plans the society has put in place over the next 12 months and we would like to thank Sport England for their support in our project”.

Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society Referee of the Year 2008/09

Neil Byers - Tony Johnson

Tony Johnson (Chairman) of the Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society congratulates and presents Neil Byers with his Referee of the Year Award 2008 /09. Tony Johnson of the society also thanked Neil for over 29 year’s service to the community game which has seen Neil be presented with the award over 8 times. “Neil’s service and contribution to the game over the years has to be complimented and applauded” added Johnson.

Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society Young Referee of the Year

Brian Armstrong from the Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society congratulates Ryan Collins from Whitehaven on his Young Referee of the Year award. Ryan has had a successful year refereeing within the West Cumbria Youth & Junior Leagues which culminated in his appointment to the District games recently played within the county.

Cumbria District Rugby League Games

Pictured with the captains from the North East and Cumbria u14s district sides are (left to right) Dean Barnes from Newcastle, Curtis Braithwaite from Barrow and Ryan Collins from Whitehaven. All three officials officiated in games held at Whitehaven’s Recreation Ground at the weekend (4/7/09) at three age groups, u13`s, u14`s and u15`s.The RFL`s Match Officials Development Officer for the region Peter Wharton said “These official’s are on the Match Officials’ Performance Pathway and all three officials have worked hard on improving and developing their skills over the year which has culminated in the appointment to the district games.” “I would like to thank all three officials for their commitment to the community game and will continue to support their development on the pathway.”

Having recently qualified as a RFL Match Official Liam Wood from Workington officiated his first game involving Kells U12`s v Salterbeck U12`s on Thursday (28/5/09). The game was won by Kells and Liam contributed in an entertaining free flowing game.

Netherhall School, Maryport was the venue for the Allerdale Leadership Academy held this week over two days (27th 28th May) which culminated in four newly qualified RFL match officials. The event held in partnership with the RFL ran a Rugby League Leaders Award which had the leaders organising and coaching pupils from the Allerdale area culminating in a festival which the leaders also officiated.

Held in association with Glasson Rangers in Maryport, Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society and the RFL, a 13 aside Match Officials Course was held at the club last week (17/5/09) which culminated in three newly qualified match officials. “The newly qualified officials will have an opportunity to officiate over the coming weeks and put the skills and knowledge which they have acquired into practise” said Peter Wharton the RFL`s Match Official Development Officer for the region.

St Benedict’s School

Whitehaven School

Pictured are pupils from St Benedict’s School and Whitehaven School after successfully gaining a RFL award in officiating, the course was part of a Junior Rugby League Organisers Award being held at the school over 6 weeks with over 30 pupils becoming qualified. The course was held in partnership with the RFL and the Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society covering coaching methods, practical sessions, match officiating and festival organisation which culminates in a rugby league festival which will be held in the near future.

Adam Kirkbride (far right)

Adam Kirkbride from Whitehaven officiated at the Lancashire Youth & Junior Cup Finals held at the Stobart Stadium at Widnes at the weekend 15/3/09, Adam refereed the
U 13`s Cup Final between Bold Miners & Ince Rose Bridge & touch judged on the U15s Cup Final between Wigan St Pats v Portico Vine. All the officials involved on the day were assessed on there performance and with an opportunity to officiate prior to the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 29th August 2009 performances were high. Peter Wharton the RFL`s Match Officials Development Officer for the region said “Adam has made good progress and is now on the Match Officials Performance ladder and I hope his climb through the ranks will be successful.”

Adam Kikbride (centre)
pictured with the captains of West Cumbria & Gateshead Thunder

Adam Kirkbride from Whitehaven made his refereeing debut in the Gillette Champions National Youth League on
Friday 30th January in the game between West Cumbria & Gateshead Thunder held at Distington ARLFC the game being held on Friday night was part of the Gillette Champions National Youth League Friday Floodlight Footy initiative.

Ian Dryden congratulated by Peter Wharton after Ian’s under 14`s refereeing debut.

Ian Dryden made his debut at Workington Zebras ground refereeing the game between Seaton Rangers & Kells
under 14`s on Sunday 11th January 2009, the game was play in atrocious conditions and Ian played his part in
what was a free flowing game.

Workington Town Scholarship Players

A RESPECT presentation held at Workington Towns ground, Derwent Park on 7/1/09 and was attended by the clubs scholarship players, staff and coaches, the evening being presented by Peter Wharton the RFL`s Match Officials Development Officer for the region. The evening revolved around RFL`s RESPECT programme, which is a code of conduct for players, coaches, match officials, spectators and volunteers within the game of rugby league, with everybody attending having a better understanding of what roles and responsibilities they have within the sport by the end of the evening.

Left to Right
Brian Armstrong (TJ) Neil Byers (Referee) Peter Wharton (TJ)

Pictured are the Match Officials from the BARLA Cumbria Cup Final held at Derwent Park, Workington on 27th December 2008, (missing from the picture David Slattery – reserve referee)

Left to Right

Paul Grundhill - Peter Wharton - Jordan King

Pictured are the Match Officials after the BARLA Cumbria Cup under 14`s game held at Distington ARLFC on Sunday 14th December, all three officials played their part in what was a great game and a great advert for youth rugby in Cumbria.

Left to Right
Tony Johnston (Chairman) - Jordan King - Jackie Beech (President)

At the Cumberland Rugby League Referees Society meeting held at Maryport ARLFC on Monday 8-12-08 Jordan King from Whitehaven was presented with his 13 aside Match Officials Award along with his RFL Community refereeing strip. Jordan was presented his award and strip by Tony Johnston (Chairman) and Jackie Beech (President) of the Society. Also present at the presentation was the RFL`s Match Officials Development Officer for the region Peter Wharton who added “Jordan has a good future ahead of him and with his commitment and attitude that he has already show Jordan will have a successful refereeing career”.

A young referee from Whitehaven has made his debut in the Carnegie Champion Schools District Finals. Ryan Collins officiated after successfully passing a RFL 13 aside match officials course. His first event was the tournament at Whitehaven Amateurs on November 20th which saw teams competing from the Copeland area.The RFL`s match officials` development officer for the region, Peter Wharton, said, “Events like the Carnegie Champion Schools games are ideal environments for young referees to experience at first hand what it’s like to officiate rugby league”