Tributes pour in for Queensland Rugby League mentor John Topp

All Queensland Rugby League officials will wear black armbands this weekend to mark the sudden passing of a beloved, veteran referee.

John Topp, left, Jacob Whitehouse and Nick Pelgrave share a laugh. Picture: Colleen Edwards / QRL

The rugby league fraternity is in mourning after the sudden death of a Queensland Rugby League stalwart and mentor John Topp.

Mr Topp, who died on Tuesday aged 59, was a former Queensland Rugby League referees high performance co-ordinator and provided almost 20 years of service to match officiating.

As a mark of respect for Mr Topp, NRL general manager of elite officiating Jared Maxwell said all referees at the junior and senior levels of the Queensland Rugby League would wear black armbands at all weekend games.

The life member of Brisbane Rugby league was so popular that a medal was named in his honour in 2021 for outstanding referees.

Mr Topp had more than 42 years officiating after starting as a cadet referee in 1980 and being a full member in 1981.

QRL referee John Topp, who died aged 59 on Tuesday. Picture: Contributed

He was known through the sport as a father figure for young and emerging referees.

Longstanding rugby league referee Brian Roper paid tribute to his longstanding mentor.

“He refereed me when I was playing and he suggested that when I finished as a player, that I should become a ref, which I did,” Mr Roper said.

“I do not think anyone else would have that sort of influence.

“He was extremely well respected throughout the rugby league community and I do not know one person who had a bad word against him.

“The game of rugby league will never be the same without him because he was always such a level-handed official who took a fatherly attitude to all officials.”

Mr Topp made his name across the state refereeing important games such as the Queensland Cup; QRL State League matches; Queensland v NSW Residents; Queensland v NSW Under 19; City v Country with more than 200 games in Brisbane from 1988 to 1998 along with Brisbane A Grade matches and five BRL Reserve Grade Grand Finals.

He also coached and co-ordinated regional, state and national schoolboys QRL carnivals from 1996.

Originally published as Tributes pour in for Queensland Rugby League mentor John Topp