Queensland Country Rugby Referees Association - QCRRA

QCRRA Match Officials had their first representative appearances for 2025 at the TAS Rugby Carnival in Armidale at the weekend.

This tournament features younger 14-16 year old referees from across country NSW and for the past two years QCRRA referees as well. A team of 27 referees and Match Official Developers (MOD)s were assembled to service the 44 teams playing in the event.

Three of our most promising juniors in Ben Logan (Sunshine Coast), Sarah Morris and George Wicks (both Darling Downs), had great tournaments on and off the field. Ben improved out of sight, George was appointed to the 1 v 2 final game and Sarah was awarded the referee of the tournament!

Many more opportunities to come for these young athletes.

Last week the QCRRA held their AGM.

Inaugural President Dave Glover has stepped aside and it is with great pleasure that we can announce that former Test Referee, Rohan Hoffman, has been elected as President for 2025.

Hoff comes with vast experience in the Match Official world, and is well credentialed and connected. In addition he has been a long time, very strong advocate and supporter of Country Match Officials and the work they do.

Steve Ryan and Alan Hunt have retained their roles as Treasurer and Secretary.

A huge thanks to Dave Glover for his vision, work, dedication and co-operative approach in the recent development of the QCRRA. He has created an excellent organisation which already is doing great things for MOs across Queensland Country and beyond.

Get all over these!

A wonderful developmental opportunity over the past weekend for young Jayla Larkin from Sunshine Coast at the State 7s at Ballymore.

Jayla had the privilege of working with and learning from three of the leading female referees in Australia - on and off the field.

Jess Ling, Ella Goldsmith and Sarah Porter all had solid hit outs before heading off to Dubai next weekend.

A great example of Referee Associations working together.
NSW Country Referees’ Graham Cook and Queensland Country Referees’ Ian McGowan were the Match Official Co-Ordinators at the Gold Coast based Bond 7s over the weekend.

Refs from QRRA, GCDRRA and DDRRA did the on-field business.

More pictures of our QCRRA refs in action

Pics from the State Champs

Our QCRRA team at the recent State Champs could simply not have been there without our generous sponsors. We are very grateful for their support.

Our major sponsor Chemist Warehouse was proudly displayed on the front of our jerseys. Big thanks to our medium sponsors Gemlife and Daker Pty Ltd, and minor sponsor First4Care.

The pic of appreciation for our major sponsor - Chemist Warehouse - below features Managing Partner and QRU Chair Brett Clark, QRU Vice President Libby Nankivell and QCRRA President Dave Glover.

Today saw the end of an intense eight days of QCRRA activity commencing with all our Match Officials in Rockhampton from Thursday to Sunday for the State Championships. This was followed by a number of our referees at City vs Country matches in Caloundra on Tuesday and in Brisbane today. Plus, some cameos at the Australian Schools Championships at Kawana.

Over the next few days, we will feature pics of our referees in action from all of these tournaments. Here's a couple of teasers....

The State Championships in Rockhampton this weekend will be the biggest ever - 39 teams, 72 games, 900 + players. Subsequently, this will see the largest Match Official team ever with 22 Referees and nine Developers.
A Ref squad of that size needs a cat herder, so let’s meet Match Official Manager and QCRRA Lead Developer, Ian.

Name: Ian McGowan

Association:
Darling Downs Referees and QCRRA

How long have you been reffing:

First game I reffed was while playing in the mid 1980s and I continued until 2004 when I moved to regional Victoria and was away from the game for 16 years. Have been heavily involved in Match Official Development and Coaching since returning to Queensland four years ago.

Why do you do it?

I possess a huge love for this game; especially its inherent values and the skills and strength required to play it. I also love the laws - and the never ending quest in how to apply them to help the players get the best out of any game they are in.
In recent times, I have loved working with referees young and old, experienced or otherwise, and my work with DDRRA and QCRRA on this front gives me immense satisfaction.

Fun Fact:

I have five siblings, and I’m the tallest!

The second of our Mackay reps coming in for the State Championships to gain exposure to the ref Coach\Developer scene, is Richard.

Name: Richard Incledon

Association: Mackay Rugby

How long have you been involved in refereeing:
Started here in Mackay in 1987

Why do you do it:
Being Welsh and starting to play when I was 12, it’s in the DNA

Fun fact:
I refereed a game at Old Deer Park in Richmond in London in Feb 2003 between a team of expat Kiwis expat South Africans. When they found out I was a Welsh/Aussie the teams thought it was hilarious - the UN of rugby, the true world game.
By the way, it was three degrees and the pitch was like rock!