Country RL - Bush Telegraph #20

This week's Bush Telegraph looks at Dapto RLFC honouring a past player, two young CRL referees stepping up into first grade, AAMI CRL Regional U16s & U18s Championships kicking off this weekend in Figtree, and the Illawarra Women's Representative team announced.

Dapto RLFC to honour past player

The Dapto club is holding a memorial day for former player Nathan Herbert who gave many years of service to the junior league before progressing to senior grades during Dapto's very successful years in the early to mid-1990s.

Nathan was respected by his team mates for his toughness and determination both on and off the field. The Dapto RLFC are looking forward to a large crowd to join in with this special occasion, encouraging all former players and friends to celebrate the great times had during Nathan's playing years and to support the Canaries against the reigning Illawarra Coal League Premiers, Collegians.

The Herbert family will be on hand to present Dapto's best player with an award after the first grade fixture. Games are at Dapto Showground on Sat 7 June where Dapto under 17s take on De La Salle Caringbah at 12.10pm, 2nds vs Collegians at 1.30pm with 1st grade kicking off at 3.00pm against Collegians.

For further details please contact Chris Bannerman, Manager Illawarra District Rugby League on 0414 283239 or cbannerman@steelers.com.au

Young Guns Step Up with Whistle

The weekend of 24-25 May 2014 saw two of the Country Rugby League Referees Association's younger referees step up and control their first ever top grade games at the opposite ends of the state. What makes this such a significant event is that they are still in their teens and both are recognized as having enormous potential to go on to bigger and better things.

On the Saturday, seventeen year old Shannon Shepherdson of the Group 16 Referees blew the whistle for his initial First Grade fixture featuring Bega v Narooma which Bega won 38-30. It was a good quality fast game and both teams are reported to have enjoyed playing under the control of the young whistleblower. Spectators also reported that Shannon performed well and appeared to have the respect of the players. This caps a terrific couple of years for Shannon who represented the CRLRA in the 2013 Primary Exchange (Under 12's) conducted by School Sport Australia in Perth where he learned much under the guidance of NRL Referees Development Manager, Steve Clark. He also earned a CRL appointment in the 2013 Under 14 and Under 16 Championships.

The very next day, the CRLRA's other representative in the 2013 Primary Exchange in eighteen year old Garth Burley of Group 2 Referees followed up Shannon's celebration when he ran out onto Frank McGuren Park at Grafton to officiate in the centre when the Grafton Ghosts A Grade hosted the Orara Valley Axemen. Once again young Garth showed all the skills of a seasoned professional in controlling what turned out to be a one-sided affair but he still thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Garth is in his fifth year of refereeing having taken it up to remain in the game when he decided that he wasn't going to be big enough to compete as a player. He has taken every opportunity to develop his refereeing skills, often at his own expense when required to travel to the major centres from his home in Dorrigo where he played from Under 10 to Under 14 before taking up the whistle. Once again, this caps off a significant period in young Garth's refereeing career having been appointed to CRL junior fixtures in 2013 including the appointment to control the Under 14 Trophy Final.

The CRLRA is rightly proud of these two young match officials just as it is of all of the young ones who are taking up the refereeing challenge. They will definitely go on to higher appointments just like those many former CRL referees who are in the current NRL squad.

AAMI CRL Regional Under 16 and Under 18 Championships

Follow the Country Rugby League on Twitter and through our Results page HERE for live updates from the AAMI CRL 16s and 18s Championships on Saturday and Sunday from Collegians Sporting Complex and Sid Parrish Park, Figtree.

Starting at 9am, the Championships will see the best of Country's youngest stars in a hotly contested competition.

Come down and support your Region!

For full teams this weekend click here.

CRL Senior Championships

Semi-finals of the CRL Senior Championships will be played at Morry Breen Oval, Wyong on Saturday June 14, 2014. See draw below.

The winners will progress through to the Final at Scully Park, Tamworth on June 21, 2014.
Time | Fixture - Referee (Group)

10:00 am | North Coast v Northern Tigers - Andrew Astill (Illa)

11:45 am | Newcastle v Canberra - Matt Edwards (G21)

1:30 pm | South Coast v NRRRL - Rob Bowen (Coast)

3:15 pm | Central Coast v Illawarra - Matt Treneman (G7)

Illawarra Women's Representative Squad Announcement

The Illawarra Division Rugby League Board of Management are pleased to announce the squad to represent Illawarra at the NSW Women's Rugby League State Championships at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday 7 June. The Illawarra squad is selected from participants in the Women in the Army Illawarra League as follows;

Emily Andrews (Helensburgh)

Kezie Apps (Helensburgh)

Gemma Bradford (Helensburgh)

Erin Blackwell (Helensburgh)

Brittany-Lee Constable (Port Kembla)

Kaarla Cowan (Port Kembla)

Ruby Ewe (Helensburgh)

Jade Etherdan (Corrimal)

Tammy Fletcher (Berkeley)

Sam Hammond (Helensburgh)

Alicia-Kate Hawke (Corrimal)

Jewelle Kupenga (Berkeley)

Jennifer Latu (Corrimal)

Natasha Leta-Losefo (Helensburgh)

Linda Malaka (Port Kembla)

Michelle Moronga (Port Kembla)

Alysha Mundy-Williams (Port Kembla)

Jasmin Sarin (Helensburgh)

Maddison Studdon (Helensburgh)

Nikitah Wilson (Port Kembla)

Coach - Chris Studdon (Helensburgh)