Milestone event for local RL referees

Some of the local RL referees at the society's 30th annual dinner. Picture: Andy Sweet.

It was attended by RFL match referees, past and present, including Ray Tennant, John Holdsworth, Dave Merrick, Andy Sweet and Ben Thaler.

The local society is regarded as one of the most successful RL referee societies in the country.

It has provided the Rugby Football League with many top grade officials in the past such as John Holdsworth, Ray Tennant, John Kendrew, Steve Presley, Russell Smith, Peter Walton, Dave Davies, Paul Crashley, John Broadhead, Bob Stokes and Eric Arnold.

Former rugby league player and coach Mick Morgan was the compere at Friday’s milestone event which included a three-course dinner.

Society members collected awards for their achievements in 2015.

The main award winners were:

Junior touch judge of the year: Jake Readman.

Junior referee of the year: Joe Turner.

Martin Bingley most improved match official award: Dougie Martin.

Senior touch judge of the year: Matthew Kidd.

Charlie Atherton senior referee of the year: Connor Astbury.

Society member of the year: Jake Butcher.

For the first time, the society has obtained sponsors which has enabled them to get their first society kit.

They are grateful for the help from their sponsors who are Applied Maintenance Technology, Draincare, the Black Swan, Normanton, and Food That Bit Better, Castleford.

The society also has its own website where they list all referee appointments, junior rules and news items on a weekly basis during the season.

Full details about the society are available at www.pitchero.com/clubs/castlefordfeatherstonerlrs/