RFL match officials

Last updated

The RFL Match Officials are a select group of professional Rugby League match officials who officiate the top divisions of Rugby League in Britain. [1]

Contents

Officials are required to take part in a Fitness Test to maintain and or gain their status.

Match Official Department Staff

Phil Bentham was re-appointed as the RFL's Head of Match Officials in February 2024. [2] He previously held this post on an interim basis between Jan-March 2021 while Steve Ganson was on leave.

Dave Elliot served as the interim Head of Match Officials between Jan-Dec 2023 while an internal investigation took place into the department, ran by Steve Ganson from 2016. This concluded with Ganson leaving the RFL by mutual consent in December 2023. [3]

NamePosition
Phil Bentham Head of Match Officials
Julian KingGrade 1 Referee Group Manager
Chris Kendall Grade 2 Referee Group Manager
Andy SmithGrade 1 and 2 Touch Judge Manager
Tom GrantGrade 2 Referee Coach
Ben ThalerGrade 3 Referee Group Manager
Marcus GriffithsWomen's Super League Squad Manager
Ryan CoxAppointments and Development Officer
Matty LynnMatch Officials Administrator

Graded Match Officials

Source: [4]

To become an Elite match official, Grade 1 officials must have an interview with the Head of Match Officials.

GradingRefereeTouch Judge
Grade 1Super League, Championship and League 1Super League
Grade 2Academy and ReservesChampionship & League 1
Grade 3National Conference League & ScholarshipAcademy & Reserves

Elite Referees (RFL Full Time Match Officials)

Source: [5]

Since the 2007 season, the Rugby Football League have employed a panel of full-time officials. That panel currently has nine members.

Current Full Time Match Officials Squad

Managed by Phil Bentham.

NameSocietyAgeYear Appointed
Flag of England.svg Aaron MooreWigan27 years, 239 days2023
Flag of England.svg Chris Kendall Huddersfield33 years, 38 days2015
Flag of England.svg Jack SmithWigan36 years, 145 days2022
Flag of England.svg Liam MooreWigan30 years, 13 days2017
Flag of England.svg Tara Jones Warrington29 years, 1 day2025
Flag of England.svg Tom GrantLeeds31 years, 3 days2018
Flag of England.svg Marcus GriffithsWidnes31 years, 56 days2019
Flag of England.svg Liam RushDewsbury & Batley25 years, 23 days2022
Flag of Australia (converted).svg James VellaSt George Referees (Sydney, Australia)36 years, 35 days2022

Previous Full Time Match Officials

NameSocietyStartEndTotal
Flag of England.svg Ben Thaler Wakefield2005202419 years
Flag of England.svg James Child Dewsbury & Batley2010202212 years
Flag of England.svg Cameron WorsleyMid Yorkshire
Flag of England.svg Robert HicksOldham
Flag of England.svg Scott MikalauskasLeigh2021
Flag of England.svg Greg Dolan
Flag of England.svg Phil Bentham Warrington
Flag of France.svg Thierry Alibert
Flag of England.svg Joe CobbWidnes
Flag of England.svg Chris CampbellWidnes
Flag of England.svg Steve Ganson St Helens
Flag of England.svg George StokesSt Helens
Flag of England.svg Ian Smith Oldham
Flag of England.svg Richard Silverwood Dewsbury & Batley
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ashley Klein Leeds

Elite Touch Judges (Super League)

Managed by Dave Elliot. By default the RFL Full Time Match Officials are graded as Elite Touch Judges.

NameSocietyNameSociety
Denton ArnoldSt HelensTom GrantLeeds
Nick BennettDewsbury & BatleyMarcus GriffithsWidnes
Dean BowmerMid Yorkshire Chris Kendall Huddersfield
Peter BrookeManchesterAaron MooreWigan
Ryan CoxSt HelensLiam MooreWigan
Mark CravenLeedsLiam RushDewsbury & Batley
Simon EllisDewsbury & BatleyJack SmithWigan
Neil HortonMid Yorkshire Tara Jones Warrington
Gareth JonesWarringtonJames VellaSt George Referees (Sydney, Australia)
Paul MarkloveWarringtonMatty LynnWarrington
Ellis McCarthySt Helens
Scott MikalauskasLeigh
Jonathon RobertsLeeds
Richard ThompsonHull
Warren TurleyLeigh
Cameron WorsleyMid Yorkshire
Alex CameronHuddersfieldTotal Count = 25. Part Time = 16.Full Time = 9.

Grade 1 Match Officials

Select Referees

Managed by Julian King & Chris Kendall.

NameSocietyNameSociety
Denton ArnoldSt HelensSam JenkinsonMid Yorkshire
Aaryn BelafonteHuddersfieldFreddie LincolnHuddersfield
Nick BennettDewsbury & BatleyMatty LynnWarrington
Alan BillingtonWidnesScott MikalauskasLeigh
Luke BlandLeedsBradley MilliganCumberland
Elliot BurrowBarrowKevin MooreMid Yorkshire
Matty ClaytonHuddersfieldMichael SmaillLeigh
Ryan CoxSt HelensAndy SweetMid Yorkshire
Will GilderMidlands & South WestAdam WilliamsWigan
Sam HoughtonManchesterCameron WorsleyMid Yorkshire
Carl HughesMid YorkshireKristoff YoungWales
Jordan HughesBarrow
Total Count = 23.

Select Touch Judges

Managed by Steve Williams.

NameSocietyNameSociety
Aaryn BelafonteHuddersfieldMatty LynnWarrington
Alan BillingtonWidnesOllie MaddockWarrington
Luke BlandLeedsMilo McKelveyHuddersfield
Ben BrocklehurstMid YorkshireBradley MilliganCumberland
Elliot BurrowBarrowKevin MooreMid Yorkshire
Jamie CallaghanSt HelensLewis O'brienWigan
Alex CameronHuddersfieldJosh PembertonWarrington
Matty ClaytonHuddersfieldOliver SalmonHuddersfield
James CollierManchesterLucas SealBarrow
James CollinsMidlands & South WestGary ShawWigan
Luke FlavellWiganJoe StearneMid Yorkshire
Tommy GibbsMid YorkshireAndy SweetMid Yorkshire
Will GilderMidlands & South WestAdrian TallonHull
Aaron GilesBarrowJordan UnsworthLeigh
Sam HoughtonManchesterAdam WilliamsWigan
Carl HughesMid YorkshireGareth WinnardLondon & The South
Jordan HughesBarrowHenry WinnardLondon & The South
Sam JenkinsonMid YorkshirePeter WroeMidlands & South West
Tara Jones WarringtonKristoff YoungWales
Freddie LincolnHuddersfield
Total Count = 39.

Grade 2 Match Officials

Emerging Referees

Managed by Tom Grant.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
Tolver ArnoldSt HelensC CurrenAlex McDonaldMidlands & South WestPete SmithArmed Forces
Mason ApseeWalesCraig DaviesWalesMilo McKelveyHuddersfieldJoe StearneMid Yorkshire
Jack BaconWiganSimon EllisDewsbury & BatleyRyan MitchellDewsbury & BatleyAdrian TallonHull
Dylan BarlowWiganLuke FlavellWiganLewis O'brienWiganWarren TurleyLeigh
Oliver BowieMid YorkshireTommy GibbsMid YorkshireGuy PalletArmed ForcesGareth WinnardLondon & The South
Dean BowmerMid YorkshireAaron GilesBarrowNeil PascallLeedsHenry WinnardLondon & The South
Ben BrocklehurstMid YorkshireConnor GriffithsWarringtonJosh PembertonWarringtonBrandon WorsleyMid Yorkshire
Feargus BrownYorkNeil HortonMid YorkshireCraig ReganBarrow
Jamie CallaghanSt HelensOwen IrelandWarringtonAidan RhodesLeeds
Alex CameronHuddersfieldJosh KinsleyHullOliver SalmonHuddersfield
James CollierManchesterDanny KroutLondon & The SouthReece SchofieldManchester
James CollinsMidlands & South WestPhil LoebWarringtonLucas SealBarrow
Matt CowanLondon & The SouthOllie MaddockWarringtonGary ShawWigan
Anthony CreaseyLondon & The SouthPaul MarkloveWarringtonKristian SilcockSt Helens
Total Count = 49

Emerging Touch Judges

Managed by Ryan Cox.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
Mason ApseeWalesDanny FrederickHullKieran O'SheaLondon & South
Rob ApseeWalesDan GeddesMid YorkshireGuy PalletArmed Forces
Innes ArnoldSt HelensJordan GreenhalghWidnesNeil PascallLeeds
Tolver ArnoldSt HelensConnor GriffithsWarringtonShaun PickeringSt Helens
Jack BaconWiganLee HaggertySt HelensSimeon QuarmbyHuddersfield
Dylan BarlowWiganShea HarrisonWiganCraig ReganBarrow
Ronan BirdWidnesRyan HolmesDewsbury & BatleyRhiece RhodesHuddersfield
Oliver BowieMid-YorkshireJamie HooperMid-YorkshireReece SchofieldManchester
Liam BrehenyWiganRhiannon HorsmanLeedsS Shea
F BrownOwen IrelandWarringtonKristian SilcockSt Helens
Paul ClaytonMid YorkshireLiam JonesSt HelensAdam SmithHuddersfield
Lewis CorcoranWiganJosh KinsleyHullPete SmithArmed Forces
Andrew CouparSt HelensDanny KroutLondon & SouthB Thomas
Matt CowanLondon & SouthK LewisC Topping
George CoxHullPhil LoebWarringtonTyler Topping-HigsonWigan
Ian CurzonWalesAndy MarshWiganRebecca WhiteleyHuddersfield
C DaviesMegan MillsHullA Woods
Rebecca FloydSt HelensR MithchellJack WoolassHull
Harry ForsterMia MurphyLeighBrandon WorsleyMid Yorkshire
Stuart FraserSt HelensBeth NeilsonHuddersfieldEsmai WrightWarrington
Total Count = 60.

Grade 3 Match Officials

Entry Referees

Managed by Tom Grant.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
Anthony AthertonWiganHarry ForsterLogan MilesDewsbury & Batley
T BellJordan GreenhalghWidnesM Mills
Jake BerryWidnesLiam GrundyDewsbury & BatleyAndrew MulliganSt Helens
Ronan BirdLeighLee HaggertySt HelensMia MurphyLeigh
Matty BoltonBarrowS HarrisonRobbie NevinsonBarrow
N BraggAndy HawleyWarringtonTom PrescottSt Helens
Liam BrehenyWiganJoby HewittMid YorkshireShaun PickeringSt Helens
Micky BrightonLondon & The SouthRyan HolmesDewsbury & BatleySam PriceWigan
Dan BrownMid-YorkshireJamie HooperMid YorkshireSimeon QuarmbyHuddersfield
I CarsonLeighRhiannon HorsmanLeedsR Rhodes
Steve CockramSt HelensS PowellMatt RobertsBradford & Halifax
L CorcoranLiam JonesSt HelensDan SaundersLeeds
Andrew CouparSt HelensNaz KhanWarringtonAdam SmithHuddersfield
George CoxHullDylan KindelanDewsbury & BatleyDave SwindlehurstWigan
Lucas DabbsLeighAlex LeafLeedsTyler Topping-HigsonWigan
J DaveyC MacDonaldErin WatsonHuddersfield
F EvansAndy MarshWiganA Woods
J EvansMatthew MartinMid-YorkshireJack WoolassHull
O FilerRoss McCarthySt HelensEsmai WrightWarrington
Rebecca FloydSt HelensCallum MurphyWigan


Total Count = 59.

Entry Touch Judges

Managed by Ryan Cox.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
Anthony AthertonWiganJoby HewittMid YorkshireAdrian TallonHull
T BellNaz KhanWarringtonB Thomas
J BerryDylan KindelanDewsbury & BatleyErin WatsonHuddersfield
M BoltonChris LawsonLondon & The SouthA Woods
Kyle BonsorMidlands & South WestA Leaf
N BraggC MacDonald
Dan BrownMid YorkshireM Martin
I CarsonLeighRoss McCarthySt Helens
Steve CockramSt HelensLogan MilesDewsbury & Batley
Lewis CollinsMidlands & South WestCallum MurphyWigan
Lucas DabbsLeighR Nevinson
J DaveyS Powell
F EvansTom Prescott
O FilerSam PriceWigan
O FoulkesJoe RaddingsMidlands & South West
J FoxonMatt RobertsBradford & Halifax
Cameron GrayLondon & The SouthD Saunders
Liam GrundyDewsbury & BatleyPaul StraffordLeeds
Andy HawleyWarringtonDave SwindlehurstWigan
Total Count = 44.

Kit suppliers and sponsors

PeriodManufacturersSponsors
2003-2006PatrickPowergen
2007Engage
2008-2009Puma
2010-2012ISC
2013none
2014Specsavers
2015-2017BLK
2018Hummel
2019-2020Ronseal
2021-2026Oxen

See also

References

  1. RFL. "RFL Match Officials". The RFL.
  2. "Phil Bentham returns to Rugby League as RFL Head of Match Officials". RFL.
  3. "Steve Ganson to quit as RFL Head of Match Officials". RFL.
  4. "Rugby-League.com". www.rugby-league.com. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  5. "Full Time Match Officials | RFL". www.rugby-league.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.