QRL makes massive call on CDRL referees association for 2023
A massive decision has been made by the QRL about referees in the Far North in 2023 after a tribunal hearing, which included two breaches from this season.
Cairns
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THE decision to not supply match officials to select games at the end of the season has led to the exclusion of Cairns District Rugby League Referees Association for 2023.
The extraordinary decision was handed down by a Queensland Rugby League tribunal, which addressed two breaches.
CDRLRA did not remove administrator access to My Sideline, an internal system used by rugby league bodies across the country, for an individual who, earlier this year, was banned for two years after calling a QRL official a “***wit” on a Zoom call.
The organisation was directed to remove access for the individual, but, despite a belief the ban would be dismissed or reduced, knowingly allowed that person to access My Sideline.
CDRLRA’s refusal to supply officials to games involving Yarrabah towards the end of the regular season as directed by FNQ Rugby League and the QRL.
The tribunal determined it was a “failure to comply with any rule, policies, procedures or directions of the QRL or an administration unit”, and a breach of the QRL Referees’ Association Affiliation Agreement which was signed on behalf of CDRLRA in December, 2021.
CDRLRA was found guilty on both breaches, and have been excluded participating in rugby league in 2023.
The QRL will support any CDRLRA members who wish to register with an alternative association for 2023 to ensure they can keep officiating.
The decision to not supply officials to games involving Yarrabah forced FNQRL and QRL to source referees not affiliated with CDRLRA, which involved fly-in, fly-out whistleblowers from the south east corner.
CDRLRA made their decision based on the safety and mental wellbeing of its members, which came to a head after an incident in a game between Yarrabah and Edmonton.
Incidents at games against Innisfail and Brothers earlier this season, both of which ended with referees abandoning A-grade fixtures before the end of the 80 minutes, sparked an intervention from FNQRL and QRL.
It included a ‘show cause’ notice and meetings between league and Yarrabah officials.
But a number of incidents and complaints stemming from their loss to Edmonton left FNQRL little choice but to stand the club down in line with the QRL’s Positive Environment Program.
They missed one game, but returned for the last month of competition, during which they switched their players’ positions, jerseys, and sought to bring joy back to the game they love.
It was later found that one of Yarrabah’s chief complaints at the time - that the game against Edmonton ran longer than 80 minutes - held true.
The extra time allowed the Storm to cap a comeback win.
After a FNQRL investigation, it was ruled the result would stand but penalised Edmonton two competition points, suspended for 12 months, and the Storm must install an electronic scoreboard and clock ahead of the 2023 season
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as QRL makes massive call on CDRL referees association for 2023
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