News
David Abood makes clean-sweep in 2010 State of Origin Appointments
David Abood has continued to prove himself as the equal best Sideline Official in the NRL by being appointed to all three of the recent State of Origin games.
David, with fellow Sideline Official Paul Holland and Referees Tony Archer and Shayne Hayne, was appointed to all three State of Origin games and performed exceptionally well. The appointment to these fixtures is a credit to David and is a prime example for junior referees of what continued hard work and determination can result in.
Congratulations to David on an outstanding season thus far.
Adam Gee makes NRL Debut
Adam Gee has been elevated to NRL, making his debut recently in Auckland as a Sideline Official. After a number of successful years in the NSW Premier Squad and more recently the NRL Squad, Adam debuted on Saturday 15th May at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland in the NZ Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys fixture. Adam performed admirably and has taken the next big step in his refereeing career.
Congratulations to Adam on this fine achievement.
Pre-Season Seminar
The Association has kicked off the new season with a very informative and beneficial seminar having been conducted on Sunday 28th February.
The program for the day was very comprehensive, and covered the topics of judiciary, rulings, administration, training and development, control and positioning. We were also very fortunate to have NRL Referee Jason Robinson give a talk on his career as a referee, as well as learn from him what is required in order to make it at the top of the game.
Members in attendance were also issued with their new on-field gear for the 2010 season, with the Association adopting the pink solid-colour jerseys.
The Committee would like to extend thanks to Jason Robinson for giving up his time to attend, as well as Gavin Beecroft and Lionel Brown for organising the day.
2010 Annual General Meeting
On the 18th of February, the Association held its Annual General Meeting for the 2010 season. The AGM this year was a significant event as it saw the Association's longest serving President, Mr Paul Archer, elect not to stand for the position after having served for the longest period of time of any President to date.
The election results from the meeting for Committee positions were:
- President: John McCormack
- Vice-President: Chris Cafarelli
- Secretary: Mario Cafarelli
- Treasurer: Brad Zarb
- Assistant Secretary: Warren Gee
- Social Secretary: Gavin Beecroft
- Committee Member: Lionel Brown
- Committee Member: Adam Gee
NRL and NSW Grand Final Appointments for Canterbury Members
Congratulations to the following members on their respective appointments to NSW, Toyota Cup and NRL Grand Final games this weekend:
- David Abood: NRL Sideline Official
- Richard Daizli: Toyota Cup Sideline Official
- Mat Damaso: Toyota Cup Stand-By Sideline Official
- Adam Gee: VB NSW Cup Referee
- Jimmy Oliveria: Arrive Alive Cup Sideline Official
All of our graded members have worked very hard this season and this is a just reward for their own individual efforts.
The Association also extends a special congratulations to David Abood, who is doing not only his first NRL Grand Final but it will double as his 200th First Grade game. This is an outstanding achievement for David and we wish him and all our members great success this weekend.
Vale Michael Chahoud
It's with deep regret that I must inform you of the passing of one of our long serving members, Michael Chahoud.
Michael passed away on Thursday 1st October after a long battle with cancer. Michael was a proud and loyal member within this association and will be sadly missed. The association committee and members would like to send their condolences to his family at this sad time.
Michael's funeral will be held on Saturday 3rd October at St Joespeh's Catholic Church Belmore, commencing at 10:00am.
2009 District Season Concludes
The 2009 CBDJRL competition came to a close on the last weekend of August with the Grand Final series taking place at the Crest Stadium on the Saturday and Hammnodville Oval on the Sunday.
The weather across the weekend was perfect for finals footy, with a number of close and exciting games played. There were some excellent performances by the referees as well. Once again, the A Grade competition this year was close and in the end it was Reg Marks who took out the top spot.
The final general meeting was held the week following the Grand Finals, this meeting being the Leo Randle Meeting. An astounding number of members were in attendance for the meeting at which our current and longest serving President, Mr Paul Archer, advised the membership that he will not be seeking re-election at the 2010 AGM. At the conclusion of the meeting the members enjoyed a special convivial meal and looked back on what was the 2009 district season.
With some of our members in the NSW and NRL squads still officiating we wish them the best for their appointments in the upcoming NSW and NRL finals series.
2009 Interstate Referee Exchange Program
The 2009 Interstate Referee Exchange Program has been a great success. This year we once again conducted our exchange program with West Australia and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
In mid-July, John Gorzanelli and Robert Dubois travelled to Perth where both members refereed A-Reserve competition games, amongst others across the weekend. On this same weekend, Brandon Burgess and his chaperone in Paul Beasant ventured to Canterbury from the Sunshine Coast. Brandon showed a great deal of talent on the field and was a credit to his Association as he managed to impress not only the Canterbury Advisory Board but also our local clubs.
In late July, it then became Scott Butler's turn to visit the Sunshine Coast with chaperone John McCormack. Scott refereed a number of games across the weekend and showed our Queensland counterparts some of the talent we have here in Canterbury.
John, Robert and Scott were all worthy recipients of this opportunity and conducted themsleves in the professional manner that Canterbury is renowned for. All three members were very grateful for the chance to experience being a part of the game in a very different setting, and we look forward to a continued successful exchange program in the future.
Congratulations David Abood
Congratulations to David Abood on his appointment as a Sideline Official for Game 3 of the 2009 State of Origin Series.
David has been a graded official with the NSWRLRA and NRL for 14 years and has worked hard to get to the top and achieve this outstanding appointment. David continues to set a fine example to younger referees of what hard work and commitment will achieve in this game and we commend his recent achievements in the game.
Game Three of the State of Origin is on the 15th of July at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
State of Origin II Appointments
Congratulations to Mat Damaso and David Abood on their respective appointments to State of Origin II in Sydney.
Mat has been appointed as a Touch Judge for the U/18's NSW vs Qld game whilst David has been appointed as the Stand-By Sideline Official for the main game. Both members have worked very hard to receive these prestigous appointments and we look forward to their continued success in the future.
2009 Blue and White Cabaret
Sunday the 7th of June saw the Association host its' premier event, The Blue and White Cabaret, at the Canterbury Leagues Club.
The evening commenced with drinks and canapes in the Terrace Bar where members, their partners and guests mingled before heading into the Blueberry Hill Room where the formalities commenced. The Association President, Paul Archer, welcomed our guests which included Peter and Julie Winchester (Sponsor - Canterbury League Club), Paul and Yvette Hasarati (Sponsor - Ronnies Demolition and Excavation), Brian Tovey (CBDJRL President), Glenn and Bronwyn Jackson (NSWRLRA), Frank and Marie Leonard (NSWRLRA) and Greg and Carolyn McCallum (NSWRLRA) and representatives from various distrcit Associations.
The formal proceedings saw two highly esteemed members recognised for their achievements at a higher level of the game. Adam Gee and David Abood both had successful seasons last year, with Adam controlling the NSW vs Qld u/16 State of Origin and the Jim Beam Cup Grand Final, whilst David officiated as sideline official during the NRL Final Series and later in the World Cup Series. Both members received momentos for the occasion from the association.
The night was a rousing success for Social Secretary Gavin Beecroft and his Social Committee of Chris Cafarelli, Adam Gee and Feras Karem. There was plenty of eating, drinking and dancing and a fantastic night was had by all.
(Look under the Photo Albums link for pictures from the night)
Test Match Appointment for David Abood
Congratulations to the association's Vice-President, David Abood, on his appointment as the Stand-By Sideline Official for the Trans-Tasman Test between Australia and New Zealand on Friday, 8th of May at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. This is a well deserved appointment for David and we look forward to his further success in the game.
Adam Gee has been appointed to the u16s State Of Origin Match between Queensland and NSW this Wednesday night, 21st May. The match is the curtain raiser to the big one, Game One of the State Of Origin series 2008.
In just 18 months in grade Adam has established himself as a competent and confident NSW Cup and Jim Beam Cup referee and this appointment is a just reward for his efforts. We wish Adam good luck in his match and hope this is the start of bigger and better things to come.
IN the game's centenary year Canterbury Referees recieved a glimpse into the past when a former member, Robert Lindsey Culkin, rejoined the association - at the age of 91. Robert originally joined the association in May 1943. He was graded in 1944 and went on to officiate in first grade, before retiring in 1949. Tony Danks from the NSWRL has confirmed that Mr. Culkin is the oldest living NSWRL First Grade referee.
Robert Culkin with Paul Archer.
Robert came to Sydney to play rugby league with South Sydney. But after he arrived he took up refereeing instead. He originally joined Western Suburbs Referees' Association, but district boundaries meant he had to resign from Wests and join Canterbury-Bankstown.
Robert's stories enthralled the members at a recent meeting with his vivid memories of a bygone era. One member asked Robert who was the best player he's ever seen. Robert's answer, without hesitation, was Mal Meninga. Later that night, much to the surprise of many people, Mal Meninga was named in the team of the century.
The members of Canterbury-Bankstown Referees' Association have welcomed Robert back with open arms and we all look forward to his membership for many years to come.
The Canterbury referees have kicked off the centenary year in style with a cocktail party last Friday evening, 7th March.
Almost 100 members and guests enjoyed the evening in the relaxed surroundings of the Terrace Bar at the Canterbury League Club Belmore. NSWRL Referees Development Manager, Mr. Tony Danks, thanked the association on behalf of the visitors for putting on such a function. The President, Mr. Paul Archer, gave a stiring speech in which he honoured past members, thanked present members and encourage future generations to build on the foundations that have been laid before them.
The social committee, together with Adam Gee and Chris Cafarelli, should be congratulated for organising such a successful function.
John McCormack has been elected a Life Member of the NSWRL Referees' Association. The members elected John at the association's 100th Annual General Meeting, which was held on Wednesday 5th December 2007.
John joins a band of hard working gentlemen, many from the Canterbury-Bankstown district, who have contributed to the head body's association over the years. John will also have the honour of being presented with his Life Membership Blazer in the association's 100th year.
We congratulate John for receiving this worthy recognition for the work he has done.
The 2007 Life Members' Reunion was held on Friday 21st September at the Canterbury League Club Belmore. Twenty seven Life Members enjoyed a successful function along with approximately forty other members and guests.
Brad Zarb was awarded the Clubb-Johnson Trophy after finishing a successful season as number one referee. The much anticipated Farrelly-Dick Trophy for Most Improved Referee went to Mark Zada and Peter Longhurst was awarded the prestigous Leo Randle Award for continued and dedicated service to the association.
The formalities were followed by the entertaing Sorbent Awards. Chris Cafarelli and Adam Gee managed to embarass fellow members with stories of misfortune and misadventure.
All the members are looking forward to the next social function, which will be the Golf Day on Sunday 4th November at Sefton Golf Course.
