RFL match officials explained

The RFL Match Officials are a select group of professional Rugby League match officials who officiate the top divisions of Rugby League in Britain.[1]

Officials are required to take part in a Fitness Test to maintain and or gain their status.

Match Official Department Staff

Phil Bentham was re-appointed as the RFL's Head of Match Officials in February 2024,[2] he previously held this post on an interim basis between Jan-March 2021 while Steve Ganson was on leave.

Dave Elliot served as interim Head of Match Officials for between Jan-Dec 2023 while an internal investigation took place into the department, ran by Steve Ganson from 2016. This concluded with Ganson leaving the RFL by mutual consent in December 2023.[3]

Name Position
Head of Match Officials
Dave Elliott Match Officials Coach
Julian King Match Officials Coach
Anthony AthertonMatch Officials Coach
Select Referee Group Manager
Steve Williams Select Touch Judge Group Manager
Tom Grant Entry & Emerging Referee Groups Manager
Marcus Griffiths Women's Super League Squad Manager
Ryan Cox Appointments and Development Officer
Mike Smaill Match Officials Business Manager
Matty Lynn Match Officials Administrator

Graded Match Officials[4]

To become an Elite match official, Grade 1 officials must have an interview with the Head of Match Officials.

GradingRefereeTouch Judge
EliteSuper LeagueSuper League
1 (Select)Championship & League 1Championship & League 1
2 (Emerging)Academy/Reserves & Women's Super LeagueReserves & Women's Super League
3 (Entry)National Conference League & ScholarshipAcademy & Scholarship

Elite Referees (RFL Full Time Match Officials)[5]

Since the 2007 season, the Rugby Football League have employed a panel of full-time officials. That panel currently has nine members.

Current Full Time Match Officials Squad

Managed by Phil Bentham.

NameSocietyAgeYear Appointed
Aaron MooreWigan2023
Ben ThalerMid Yorkshire (Chairman)2005
Chris KendallHuddersfield2015
Jack SmithWigan2022
Liam MooreWigan2017
Tom GrantLeeds2018
Marcus GriffithsWidnes2019
Liam RushDewsbury & Batley2022
James VellaSt George Referees (Sydney, Australia)2022

Previous Full Time Match Officials

NameSocietyStartEndTotal
James ChildDewsbury & Batley2010202212 years
Cameron WorsleyMid Yorkshire
Robert HicksOldham
Scott MikalauskasLeigh2021
Greg Dolan
Phil BenthamWarrington
Thierry Alibert
Joe CobbWidnes
Chris CampbellWidnes
Steve GansonSt Helens
George StokesSt Helens
Ian SmithOldham
Richard SilverwoodDewsbury & Batley
Ashley KleinLeeds

Elite Touch Judges (Super League)

Managed by Dave Elliot. By default the RFL Full Time Match Officials are graded as Elite Touch Judges.

NameSocietyNameSociety
Denton ArnoldSt HelensTom GrantLeeds
Nick BennettWakefieldMarcus GriffithsWidnes
Dean BowmerWakefieldChris KendallHuddersfield
Peter BrookeManchesterAaron MooreWigan
Ryan CoxSt HelensLiam MooreWigan
Mark CravenLeedsLiam RushDewsbury & Batley
Simon EllisJack SmithWigan
Neil HortonWakefieldBen ThalerWakefield
Gareth JonesWarringtonJames VellaSt George Referees (Sydney, Australia)
Paul MarkloveWarrington
Ellis McCarthyCastleford & Featherstone
Scott MikalauskasLeigh
Jonathon RobertsLeeds
Richard ThompsonHull
Warren TurleyLeigh
Cameron WorsleyCastleford & Featherstone
Total Count = 25. Part Time = 16. Full Time = 9.

Grade 1 Match Officials

Select Referees

Managed by Julian King & Chris Kendall.

NameSocietyNameSociety
Denton ArnoldSt HelensSam Jenkinson
Aaryn BelafonteHuddersfieldTara JonesWarrington
Nick BennettMid YorkshireFreddie LincolnHuddersfield
Alan BillingtonWidnesMatty Lynn
Luke BlandLeedsScott MikalauskasLeigh
Elliot BurrowCumbriaBradley MilliganCumbria
Matty ClaytonKevin MooreMid Yorkshire
Ryan CoxSt HelensMichael SmaillLeigh
Will GilderAndy SweetMid Yorkshire
Sam HoughtonManchesterAdam WilliamsWigan
Carl HughesMid YorkshireCameron WorsleyMid Yorkshire
Jordan HughesCumbriaKristoff YoungWales
Total Count = 24.

Select Touch Judges

Managed by Steve Williams.

NameSocietyNameSociety
Aaryn BelafonteHuddersfieldMatty Lynn
Alan BillingtonWidnesOllie MaddockWarrington
Luke BlandLeedsMilo McKelvey
Ben BrocklehurstMid Yorkshire Bradley MilliganCumbria
Elliot BurrowCumbriaKevin MooreMid Yorkshire
Jamie CallaghanSt HelensLewis ObrienWigan
Alex CameronJosh PembertonWarrington
Matty ClaytonOliver Salmon
James CollierLucas SealCumbria
J CollinsGary ShawWigan
Luke FlavellWiganJoe SterneMid Yorkshire
Tommy GibbsMid YorkshireAndy SweetMid Yorkshire
Will GilderA Tallon
A GilesJordan Unsworth
Sam HoughtonManchesterAdam WilliamsWigan
Carl HughesMid YorkshireG Winnard
Jordan HughesCumbriaH Winnard
Sam JenkinsonP Wroe
Tara JonesWarringtonKristoff YoungWales
Freddie LincolnHuddersfield
Total Count = 39.

Grade 2 Match Officials

Emerging Referees

Managed by Tom Grant.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
Tolver ArnoldSt HelensC CurrenA McDonaldPete Smith
M ApseeC DaviesMilo McKelveyJoe SterneCastleford & Featherstone
J BaconSimon EllisR MitchellA Tallon
Dylan BarlowWiganLuke FlavellWiganLewis ObrienWiganWarren TurleyLeigh
O BowieTommy GibbsG PalletG WinnardLondon
Dean BowmerWakefieldA GilesNeil PascallH WinnardLondon
Ben BrocklehurstCastlefordConnor GriffithsWarringtonJosh PembertonWarringtonBrandon WorsleyCastleford & Featherstone
F BrownNeil HortonCraig ReganCumbria
Jamie CallaghanSt HelensOwen IrelandA Rhodes
Alex CameronJ KinsleyOliver Salmon
James CollierD KroutReece SchofieldManchester
J CollinsPhil LoebWarringtonLucas SealCumbria
M CowanOllie MaddockWarringtonGary ShawWigan
A CreaseyPaul MarkloveWarringtonKristian SilcockSt Helens
Total Count = 49

Emerging Touch Judges

Managed by Ryan Cox.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
M ApseeD FrederickK O'Shea
R ApseeD GeddesG Pallet
Innes ArnoldSt HelensJordan GreenhalghWidnesNeil Pascall
Tolver ArnoldSt HelensConnor GriffithsWarringtonShaun PickeringSt Helens
Jack BaconWiganLee HaggertySt HelensS Quarmby
Dylan BarlowWiganS HarrisonCraig ReganCumbria
Ronan BirdWidnesR HolmesR Rhodes
O BowieJamie HooperCastleford & FeatherstoneReece SchofieldManchester
L BrehenyWiganRhiannon HorsmanLeedsS Shea
F BrownOwen IrelandKristian SilcockSt Helens
P ClaytonLiam JonesSt HelensAdam Smith
L CorcoranJ KinsleyPete Smith
Andrew CouparSt HelensD KroutB Thomas
M CownK LewisC Topping
G CoxPhil LoebWarringtonT Topping
I CurzonAndy MarshWiganRebecca WhiteleyHuddersfield/Wigan
C DaviesM MillsA Woods
Rebecca FloydSt HelensR MithchellJack WoolassHull
H ForsterMia MurphyLeighBrandon WorsleyCastleford & Featherstone
Stuart FraserMidlandsB NeilsonEsmai WrightWarrington
Total Count = 60.

Grade 3 Match Officials

Entry Referees

Managed by Tom Grant.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
Anthony AthertonWiganHarry ForsterLogan Miles
T BellJordan GreenhalghWidnesM Mills
J BerryLiam GrundyAndrew MulliganSt Helens
Ronan BirdWidnesLee HaggertySt HelensMia MurphyLeigh
M BoltonS HarrisonR Nevinson
N BraggAndy HawleyWarringtonTom PrescottSt Helens
L BrehenyWiganJohnatan HewittMid YorkshireShaun PickeringSt Helens
M BrightonRyan HolmesDewsbury & BatleySam PriceWigan
D BrownJamie HooperCastleford & FeatherstoneS Quarmby
I CarsonLeighRhiannon HorsmanLeedsR Rhodes
Steve CockramSt HelensS PowellMatt RobertsBradford
L CorcoranLiam JonesSt HelensDan SaundersLeeds
Andrew CouparSt HelensNaz KhanWarringtonA Smith
G CoxD KindelanDave SwindlehurstWigan
Lucas DabbsLeighAlex LeafLeedsT Topping
J DaveyC MacDonaldE Watson
F EvansAndy MarshWiganA Woods
J EvansM MartinJack WoolassHull
O FilerRoss McCarthySt HelensEsmai WrightWarrington
Rebecca FloydSt HelensCallum MurphyWigan
Total Count = 59.

Entry Touch Judges

Managed by Ryan Cox.

NameSocietyNameSocietyNameSociety
Anthony AthertonWiganJ HewittA Tallon
T BellNaz KhanWarringtonB Thomas
J BerryD KindelanE Watson
M BoltonC LawsonA Woods
K BonsorA Leaf
N BraggC MacDonald
D BrownM Martin
I CarsonLeighRoss McCarthySt Helens
Steve CockramSt HelensL Miles
L CollinsCallum MurphyWigan
Lucas DabbsLeighR Nevinson
J DaveyS Powell
F EvansTom Prescott
O FilerSam PriceWigan
O FoulkesJ Raddings
J FoxonM Roberts
Cameron GrayLondonD Saunders
L GrundyP Strafford
Andy HawleyWarringtonDave SwindlehurstWiganR Nevinson
Total Count = 44.

Kit suppliers and sponsors

PeriodManufacturers Sponsors
2003-2006PatrickPowergen
2007Engage
2008-2009Puma
2010-2012ISC
2013none
2014Specsavers
2015-2017BLK
2018Hummel
2019-2020Ronseal
2021-2026Oxen

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: RFL . RFL Match Officials . The RFL.
  2. Web site: Phil Bentham returns to Rugby League as RFL Head of Match Officials . RFL.
  3. Web site: Steve Ganson to quit as RFL Head of Match Officials . RFL.
  4. Web site: Rugby-League.com . 2020-03-21 . www.rugby-league.com.
  5. Web site: Full Time Match Officials RFL . 2022-08-18 . www.rugby-league.com.