When the final round of the Women’s State of Origin series was played in Newcastle recently, there was a Muswellbrook teenager on the ground getting to take in the game from a different perspective.
Tayah Gosden was selected to assist with the match officials, getting to run water for the centre referee.
The 14-year-old shared it was a cool experience being so close to the action, including hometown heroes Brydie Parker and Yasmin Clydsdale who played on the New South Wales side.
“We went into the sheds and met all the refs, and then Belinda (Sharpe) asked us to go to coin toss with her,” Tayah said
“Then I got asked to run the water, and who I wanted to run water for.”
It was an experience that she said gave her a different perspective on the game.
Liam Anderson, who is part of the local Referee Association shared it is great that the NRL are looking wider afield to areas like the Hunter to offer these kinds of opportunities to up and coming officials in the game.
“I think it shows that there’s opportunities for people around here that they can go down there and do that sort of stuff, if they’re willing to put in the work, and if they’re interested,” he said.
“It also gives us senior officials a bit of time to go to local games and coach the younger ones, so it’s not just us senior referees getting hammered every weekend. We can give those juniors the opportunity to go out there and show what they’ve got and then develop their skills and expertise from there.
“Players who are willing to have a go at refereeing a game will also have an opportunity to gain a different perspective on what goes on, and in some cases, it can help improve their game,” said Liam.
Doors have started to open for Tayah and after he Women’s State of Origin experience she spent Thursday evening in Newcastle refereeing the under 8s games before and at half time of the Knights and Sea Eagles clash.
If there are any players, or anyone from the community who would be interested in having a crack at being a game day official for the local NRL competition, reach out to your club and they will help get you in contact with the Referees Association.
-JEM ANSHAW
