Harrigan Embarks on Gold Coast
Tour

Rugby league?s most recognisable referee Bill Harrigan will stage a whistle-stop tour of the Gold Coast this month.

Stuck in the middle of Wayne Bennett and Phil Gould during last year?s State of Origin series, Harrigan will follow the supercoaches? footsteps by visiting the Southern Division region on February 15.

Holding almost every record imaginable for referees at the top level, Harrigan is in his first year of retirement after giving the game away.

His intention nowadays is to develop junior referees and rugby league in general by reaching out to those at the grassroots level.

In accordance, Harrigan will speak at Nerang Junior Rugby League Football Club to an audience of 45 referees for two hours, talking about possible career paths and personal experiences.

Set to flank Harrigan at the seminar, QRL referees director Eddie Ward will speak on the standards expected of whistle-blowers across the State.

Referee?s coaching and development manager Richard Johnston will also discuss interpretation of laws and hold a video review session.

President of the Gold Coast Referees Association Lloyd Evans said that the region had come ahead in leaps and bounds recently, recording unusual growth.

``Referee numbers in general have been in decline, but these last two years the Gold Coast has had a 15 to 20 per cent increase,?? Evans said.

``We aren?t afraid to try new initiatives to get people interested.??

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