Perpeptual Awards

DARKIE MCCALL SERVICE AWARD

The William ‘Darkie’ McCall Award was first presented in 1981 to Ian McCall. Ian’s father William was an early pioneer of the Association. The award is presented annually at the Life Members’ & Presentation Evening to a member that has exceeded all responsibilities in their contribution to the Association during the previous twelve months. The award is voted on by the Executive via a secret ballot. Candidates are assessed for their attendance, improvement, demeanour and special acts.

Year Recipient
1981 Ian McCall
1982  Peter Teale
1983  Kevin Jeffes
1984      Barry Munro
1985     William Heylbut
1986  Ernie Bull
1987  Graham Annesley
1988  Merv Presland
1989  Kevin Jeffes
1990  Paul O'Donoghue
1991  Ken Beahan
1992  Wayne Howarth
1993  Max Dunn
1994  Ernie Bull
1995  John Roe
1996  Peter Dunn
1997  Mark Adams
1998  Pat Reynolds
1999  Paul Holland
2001  Darren Rickersey
2002  Max Dunn
2003  Michael Reid
2004  Ken McNaught
2005  Alan Shortall
2007 Barry Cummins
2008 Anthony Ellard
2009 Bernard Biala
2010 Jarrad Whitby
2011 Daniel Luttringer
2012 Ken McNaught
2016 Jake Peters-McDonald
2014 Patrick Mackey
2015 Gavin Reynolds
2016 Ian Parnaby
2017 Daniel Luttringer
2018 Harrison Bayssari
2019 Michael Karam
2020 Robert Morey
2021 Ethan Murray
2022 Bernard Biala

JACK ARGENT – PATRONS TROPHY

In 1982, the Jack Argent Trophy was established. It would be later known as the Patron’s Trophy. Jack Argent was a Parramatta Club stalwart and Honorary Member for Life of the Parramatta Referees’ Association. He served as Patron of the Association from 1986 up until his passing in 2004. In 1989, the Association honoured Jack with the aforementioned award of Honorary Life Membership. The Patron’s Trophy has historically been presented to the Referee who officiates the A Grade 1st Division Grand Final, the match considered to be the District’s highest appointment. 

Year   Recipient
1982 Bill Harrigan
1983 Greg Boyd
1984  Merv Presland
1985 Leon Edney
1986 Kevin Allard
1987 Leon Edney
1988 Kelvin Jeffes
1989 Bill Heylbut 
1990 Greg Kelly
1991 Danny Heylbut 
1992 Peter Knight
1993 Peter Knight
1994 Brad Levy
1995 Joe Paulino 
1996 Wayne Howarth
1997 Des Fisher 
1998 Brad Levy
1999 Brad Levy
2000 Ashley Klein
2001 Alan Shortall
2002 Paul Hope 
2003 Paul Hope
2004 Gavin Reynolds
2005 Stephen Ellison
2006 Stephen Ellison
2007 Stephen Ellison
2008 Stephen Ellison
2009 Zbigniew Przeklasa-Adamski
2010 Philip Sung
2011 Warrick Bowden
2012 Philip Sung
2013 Chris Chalkley
2014 Patrick Mackey
2015 Patrick Mackey
2016 Daniel Luttringer
2017 Chris Chalkley
2018 Ben McMurray
2019 Robert Morey
2020 Harrison Bayssari
2021 Not Presented due to COVID-19 
2022 Harrison Bayssari
2023 Harrison Bayssari

KEVIN JEFFES – COACH OF THE YEAR

Kevin Jeffes was a Life Member of the Parramatta, NSW and Australian Referees’ Associations. He joined Parramatta Referees’ in the 1950’s, quickly rising through the ranks on the field to grade and immediately showing a willingness to contribute to all aspects of refereeing. His on-field career took him as high as test match status as a Touch Judge. Kevin was awarded Life Membership at Parramatta in 1961. During his time with the Association he served as a Referees’ Coach, Secretary (1982-1991) and was the Association’s Patron throughout the early stages of the 21st century. In honour of his dedication to developing referees, the Association was donated a plaque to use as the “Kevin Jeffes Coach of the Year” Award. It was fitting that the first recipient of the award was Ken McNaught in 2009. Ken’s dedication to the role of Director of Refereeing & Development cannot be matched.

 

Year Recipient
2009 Ken McNaught
2010 Bernard Biala
2011 Ken McNaught
2012 Gavin Reynolds
2013 Ken McNaught
2014 Ian Parnaby
2015 Ian Parnaby
2016 Ian Parnaby
2017 Ian Parnaby
2018 Ian Parnaby
2019 Ian Parnaby
2020 Allan Doohan
2021 Not Presented due to COVID-19
2022 Ethan Murray
2023 Ethan Murray

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

The Rookie of the Year Award was first presented in 2007. The award recognises a referee who has excelled in their first full season in refereeing; thereby establishing themselves as a noted member of the Association. The recipient applies themselves appropriately to training, meetings and on-field facets of the Association. They go above their calling as a referee and demonstrate the qualities that will help them develop into a first class match official. The inaugural winner of the award was Gavin Role, since that time, a number of the recipients have gone on to referee at high levels within the district, some of which have also gone onto represent the Association in inter-district competitions

Year Recipient
2007 Gavin Role
2008 Joseph Eid
2009 Daniel Luttringer
2010 Danny Constantine
2011 Andrew Nahkl
2012 James Burry
2013 Robert Pahulu
2014 Corey Fisher
2015 Gavin Laing 
2016 Harrison Bayssari
2017 Ali Sohb
2018 Mark Harvey
2019 Catherine Butler & Angus McDonald
2020 Sebastian Klein 
2021 Not Presented due to COVID-19
2022 Brooke Munro & Adam Allouche
2023 Ken Nader & Lachlan Bradley

JOHN ROE – JUNIOR OF THE YEAR

The Junior Achievement Award otherwise known as the Junior Referee of the Year Award was first presented in 1982. After the sudden passing of long-term life member, John Roe the Junior of the year award was dedicated to the late John Roe. John played an integral part in the association for upwards of 20 years. He had an interest in the development of our junior referees, believing that the continued success of the association relied on the ‘next generation’. John had served multiple years as an active referee, member of the executive, coaching staff, appointments panel and other sub committees within the association.

The inaugural recipient was Wayne Howarth. Wayne is also the leading recipient of the award, winning it three times in total. The award is voted upon by the Junior Appointments Panel, taking into consideration those junior referees that have shown great improvement and therefore deemed to be the best performed throughout the course of the year.

Year Recipient
1982  Wayne Howarth
1983  Rod Jones
1984    Wayne Howarth 
1985 Wayne Howarth 
1986 Michael Dunn
1987  Kerry Dunn
1988 Phil Dorahy
1989  Phil Dorahy
1990 Andrew Frame
1991 Paul Hope
1992  Wayne Howarth
1993  Max Dunn
1994  Ernie Bull
1995  John Roe
1996  Peter Dunn
1997  Mark Adams
1998  Pat Reynolds
1999  Paul Holland
2001  Darren Rickersey
2002  Max Dunn
2003  Michael Reid
2004  Ken McNaught
2005  Alan Shortall
2007 Barry Cummins
2008 Anthony Ellard
2009 Bernard Biala
2010 Jarrad Whitby
2011 Daniel Luttringer
2012 Ken McNaught
2016 Jake Peters-McDonald
2014 Patrick Mackey
2015 Gavin Reynolds
2016 Ian Parnaby
2017 Daniel Luttringer
2018 Harrison Bayssari
2019 Michael Karam
2020 Robert Morey
2021 Not Presented due to Covid-19 
2022 Maisy Macarthur
2023 Maisy Macarthur

 

BOB JONES – SENIOR MOST IMPROVED

Bob Jones was Club Secretary of Parramatta Leagues for a period of ten years. He was also a most esteemed member of the Parramatta Referees’ Association. He was Patron of the Association from 1977 until 1985. He was made an Honorary Life Member in 1978. Upon his departure from the Association as Patron in 1985, he set in motion the means to present an annual award to the “Most Improved Referee”.

This award is voted upon by the Coaching and Development Committee and takes into account all aspects of refereeing. This is a very sought after award and many members who have won this award have gone on to achieve higher honours in refereeing. The award has five winners that have gone on to make the NRL as an on-field officials.

Year Recipient
1985 Phil Horner
1986 Chris Gabriel 
1987 Kelvin Jeffes
1988 Roger Heinrich
1989 Alan Farlow
1990 Danny Heylbut 
1991 Phil Dorahy
1992 David Walker
1993 Des Fisher 
1994 Paul Hope
1995 Pat Reynolds
1996 Michael Graham
1997 Noel Edwards 
1998 Alan Shortall
1999 Darren Rickersey
2000 Lewis South
2001 Todd Baker
2002 Daniel Eastwood 
2003 Melissa Yates 
2004 Stephen Ellison 
2005 Phillip Sung
2006 Barry Cummins 
2007 Graham Inskip & Phillip Sung
2008 Mitchell Stone 
2009 Patrick Mackey
2010 Chris Chalkley
2011 Daniel Luttringer
2012 Jarred Kelly
2011 Michael Karam
2012 Jake Peters-McDonald
2013 Ben McMurray 
2014 Ben McMurray 
2015 Todd Ripps
2016 Robert Murray
2017 Corey Fisher 
2018 Harrison Bayssari
2019 Zac Fares
2020 Todd Pieters
2021 Not Presented Due to Covid - 19
2022 Maisy Macarthur

JUNIOR MOST IMPROVED

In 2022 the award named "Most Improved' was split into the Senior Most Improved & Junior Most Improved.

Year Recipient
2022 Thomas Hunt
2023 Kash Matthews & Noah Barakat

ERNIE BULL – TRAINER OF THE YEAR

In 2003, Stephen Ellison was presented with the inaugural “Trainer of the Year” Award. Subsequent to the passing of Ernie Bull, this award was appropriately renamed the “Ernie Bull Trainer of the Year” Award and presented to Barry Cummins in 2004. Ernie Bull joined the Parramatta Referees’ Association in the early 1960’s.

Ernie was a long time servant of the Association, giving more than 40 years of service up until his passing in 2004. He spent large periods of times in the roles of Trainer and as the Appointment Board Secretary. His contribution was recognised in 1976 when he was elevated to the status of Life Member. Ernie served as the Association’s Trainer from 1985 to 1987. The legacy that he has left for refereeing in Parramatta can be seen today with the number of members whom he developed, still giving back to the Association.

 

Year Recipient
2004 Barry Cummins
2005 Kasey Badger
2006 Phillip Sung & Kasey Badger
2007 Stephen Ellison 
2008 Jake Peters-McDonald
2009 Matthew Devos & Daniel Luttringer
2010 Matthew Porpiglia
2011 Chris Chalkley
2012 Jake Peters-McDonald
2013 Daniel Luttringer
2014 Danny Constantine
2015 Stephen Burns
2016 Ben McMurray
2017 Todd Pieters & Harrison Bayssari
2018 Danny Constantine 
2019 Todd Pieters
2020 Joel Deaves & Calliope Harvey
2021 Not Presented due to COVID-19
2022 Harrison Bayssari
2023 Lachlan Smith

 

REFEREE’S REFEREE

Since 2007, the Association’s active referees have voted on a 3, 2, 1 basis to determine who they believe is the Referees’ Referee. The award recognises a member who is a leader both on and off the field. Aspects such as on-field performance, participation at training, leadership and the referee’s demeanour culminate in the determination of the Referees’ Referee. Current NRL member Zbigniew Przeklasa-Adamski was the inaugural recipient of the award in 2007. This award is considered as one of the most prestigious awards with the winner having the satisfaction of being voted as a worthy recipient by his or her peers. To be recognised by your peers is one of the most satisfactory honours to be bestowed on an active referee.

Year Senior Recipient
2007 Zbigniew Przeklasa-Adamski
2008 Barry Cummins
2009 Jake Peters-McDonald
2010 Matthew Devos
2011 Jason Ndeira
2012 Jason Ndeira
2013 Daniel Luttringer
2014 Daniel Luttringer
2015 Daniel Luttringer
2016 Jason Ndeira
2017 Ben McMurray
2018 Robert Morey
2019 Robert Morey
2020 Robert Morey
2021 Not Presented due to COVID-19
2022 Harrison Bayssari
2023 Harrison Bayssari

SENIOR TOUCH JUDGE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The cessation of the NRL Senior Achievement Award left the Association with an opportunity to create a new award which focuses on the efforts of a senior and junior member of the Association. The Association has had a proud history of producing first class touch judges at all levels within rugby league. It can be said that the Association has failed to recognise the quality of the touch judging we have in any formal manner. Long term Director of Refereeing & Development and Life Member, Ken McNaught donated these awards to the Association which honours and recognises the efforts of a senior and junior member who have displayed strong touch judging ability over the course of the year. The award is determined by the Coaching & Development Committee.

Year Senior Recipient
2018 Bernard Biala
2019 Dante Liu
2020 Mark Harvey
2021 Not Presented due to COVID-19
2022 Marco Levy & Zac Fares
2023 Olivia Lawne

JUNIOR TOUCH JUDGE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Year Senior Recipient
2018 Todd Pieters
2019 Olivia Lawne
2020 Jordan Bugeja
2021 Not presented due to COVID-19
2022 Patrick O'Shea
2023 Adam Allouche 

 

KASEY BADGER FEMALE REFEREE OF THE YEAR

Kasey Badger started her refereeing journey with Parramatta Referees in 2004. She developed her craft in Parramatta before being graded in 2011 after refereeing the SG Ball Grand Final. Kasey made her NRL debut on the touchline in 2015. In 2022, she became the very first female to referee an International rugby league game when she refereed the World Cup Tonga vs Wales fixture. Kasey is a pioneer in rugby league, having become one of the first ever female referees to officiate a first grade rugby league game in 2023.

The Kasey Badger Female Referee of the Year Award recognises a female member who has excelled in their refereeing throughout the season on & off the field.

Year Recipient
2023 Olivia Lawne

JUNIOR REP REFEREE OF THE YEAR

This award recognises an official in the junior representative program who has displayed strong leadership, a commitment to both their rep and district duties and improvement in their officiating across the season.

Year Recipient
2023 Harrison Bayssari