Referees welcome fresh faces for 2017 season

WHILE players have been looking forward to kicking off their 2017 campaign, Group 2 referees have been just as excited to get back out in the middle

Referree Nathan Grace will return to the middle this weekend to referee the first grade clash between Coffs Harbour and South Grafton. Picture: Adam Hourigan

RUGBY LEAGUE: With the countdown well and truly on for the start of the Group 2 rugby league season this weekend, referees have been appointed to the first round matches which kick off on Saturday.

Group 2 referees director Barry Heffernan said there will be some fresh faces out in the middle and on the touch line this season.

"Our numbers have increased since last year, and we've had a lot of good young blokes put their hand up, as well as three young females who have been doing trials and will do a lot of league tag games," he said.

"It's a lot better than this time last year, which is really pleasing."

Heffernan said he hoped to see less verbal abuse directed towards match officials this season.

"Referees can cop it at the best of times, but once it goes overboard we have to draw a line in the sand," he said.

For the first grade season opener between Grafton Ghosts and Nambucca at Frank McGuren Field from 2pm, Lloyd Lynwood will be the man with the whistle assisted by Jarrod Saddler and Lenny Duroux.

Last year's grand final referee Nathan Grace will be in the middle when Coffs Harbour Comets host reigning premiers South Grafton on Sunday from 11am, with Ken Hoad and Gary Stevenson the touch judges.

Originally published as Referees welcome fresh faces for 2017 season