Group 20 rugby league
LOCAL rugby league is doomed if Group 20's concerning referee shortfall is not corrected soon, according to referees' association president Mark Stenhouse.
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The Area News revealed last month that the competition was at "crisis point" due to a lack of new officials, with all clubs asked to nominate members to take part in a refereeing course to be held this Saturday.
There have still been no takers, said a disappointed Stenhouse.
"We're at our wits' end on how to try and recruit people," he said.
"I don't think people really understand how important referees are to the game. We're still heaps down on what we need.
"Out of all our first-grade refs now, I'm the youngest at 35. The next youngest is 54.
"I didn't understand before I took it up either. I only took it up to help TLU out and when I did, I realised they struggled badly."
Stenhouse reiterated that the competition was targeting ex-players in their late 30s or early 40s to help end the refereeing shortage.
"The rules are nice and fresh for them," he said.
"The course has changed, it's only a four-hour course in Griffith this weekend and then a half-hour course online. It won't take a whole day.
"It's really not as bad a job as people make it out to be."
The course for those interested in becoming rugby league and league tag referees will be held this Saturday, March 9 at the Northside Leagues Club from 10am.
