‘Hollywood and Vegas’: Father and son referees rule the roost

Veteran rugby league referee Ian ‘Hollywood’ Bennett reckons he’s seen it all - from the joys of the game to copping abuse from spectators and players. And he’s learned some valuable life lessons along the way.

What makes a man devote more than half a century of his life to a game of sport?

If that game happens to be rugby league some would say it’s a no-brainer.

Ian Bennett is a bloke who fell in love with the code.

Like many young lads when they first pick up a footy and crash through on a country field among the cow pats, rugby league got into his blood – and stayed.

Bennett played competitive rugby into his 40s and has been refereeing the game he loves since ’71.

Rugby League great Ray Blacklock. Source News Corp Australia

Australian actor Russell Crowe sums up the passion:

“In southwest Lancashire, babies don’t toddle, they sidestep. Queuing women talk of ‘nipping round the blindside’. Rugby league provides our cultural adrenaline. It’s a physical manifestation of our rules of life, comradeship, honest endeavour, and a staunch, often ponderous allegiance to fair play.”

Bennett has refereed some of the biggest names in the game: Anthony Mundine, Ray Blacklock, Richard Crawford, Dean Withers, Roy Bell, Steve Carter and Todd Carney.

St George’s Anthony Mundine, 27/05/98.

He believes what happens on the field should stay there.

“I am also known to call a spade a spade,” Bennett said.

“Some of my calls have been controversial, some would say extreme.

“I have been insulted and assaulted, my life has been threatened by players and spectators.”

He said back in the ’70s and ’80s there was barely a peep, but now referees cop a lot of criticism.

Yet 65-year-old Bennett still hefts his whistle and laces his boots every weekend to referee what he calls the ‘greatest game on earth’.

Steve Carter tackles Daryl Halligan, Sydney Bulldogs v Penrith, Winfield Cup 1995.

“I started playing for the Colyton Colts (Penrith Juniors) in 1968 and finished at Runaway Bay playing Open 3s in Brisbane in 1999,” Bennett said.

“51 years as a referee - starting on the Central Coast (then Group 12) in 1972 and conservatively I have refereed over 1500 games including approximately 320 first grade games.”

Bennett said the key to his fitness was to keep off the drink and stay clear of drugs.

“The one constant, the one thing within my life, within rugby league and all my involvement in sport, has been to teach our children how to be respectful,” Bennett said.

He has coached his four children to grand finals and his son Cody Bennett is following dad’s footsteps as a ref for the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL).

Ian Bennett, 65, with his son Cody Bennett, 26.

Cody: “When I stopped playing it was there for me to do and I was happy to try and progress my future in it.”

The 26-year-old said it’s fun having dad on the field with him.

The men crack jokes at halftime and have each other’s back on the paddock.

“They call my dad ‘Hollywood’ and because I’m the son I get called ‘Vegas’, but it’s all in good fun.”

The Bennett clan has no intention of slowing down.