The newly-formed body ran through new rule changes to rugby league to ensure a great understanding before the season starts as well as Level 1 and 2 NRL-accredited refereeing courses on offer.

North West Queensland Referees Association president Darren Bracey says his association, which finally got up and running last November, has created a team culture for local referees that was not existent in the past. 

“It (the association) puts some structure and form around what we do,” Bracey said.

“It also allows us to give the young referees a pathway. Just because they live in Mount Isa doesn’t mean anything. They’ve got the exact same pathways as the guys on the coast.”

NRL referee development officer Michael Inman said one of the main objectives of the association was to help build a sense of ownership.

“It’s been a two-year process to where we’ve got to now. What we’re trying to achieve here is to make sure everybody is accredited on the field. It has been in the past, but referees used to be under the eastern seaboard in Townsville,” Inman said.

Inman said the older system was self-sufficient but did not have the same local grasp of culture that a local club has. 

Now the local referees have this culture and club that they have long been screaming out for.

Inman believes that now with a specific North West Queensland body, the quality of refereeing will improve and the overall numbers of men with the whistle have the potential to take off.

“Referees are now going to be 100 per cent owned by the local community. We are now in the makings of registering new members. Before the season starts we need people registered by April 25.”

NRL regional manager Tony Quinn said the association are now trying to organise training for its referees once a month and produce a calendar that includes social events.

“Training is probably the most important component that referees miss in this neck of the woods,” Quinn said.

Quinn states one of the ultimate goals for this association is to ensure there is foundation for development in rugby league referees at all ages.

“On the development side, we’ve got these young fellas who are early teenagers ranging from 13-16 years old. We also have got the other middle-aged guys. Now we’re just trying to fill the gap.”

Jarrod Horne and Tom Dungavell have been notable referee success stories from Mount Isa, according to Inman.

“There have been a lot of positives coming out from this area. They (Horne and Dungavell) have done refereeing at Queensland representative competitions, which is a big tick in the right direction for Mount Isa referees. This is the cream on the cake to make sure they have their own association and a sense of belonging and their own culture of creation,” Inman said.

The association have a number of sponsors which include Ray White, SecureCorp, Jakeman Constructions, Lewie Fire Protection, and Mount Isa Occupational Therapy.

For anyone interested in becoming a rugby league referee or needing further information please contact North West Queensland Referees Association president Darren Bracey on 0417001817.