Flags and Whistles – June/July 2019

St Helens Rugby League Referees Society Newsletter – Edition 39

National Champion Schools Finals

Three of our young members travelled to The Asics Stadium, Warrington on Friday 5th July for the Warner’s Champion Schools Finals. With Ryan Cox refereeing the Year 8 Girls Final between Sirius Academy and Corpus Christi, and Mackenzie Maddison refereeing the Year 9 Boys Final between Castleford Academy and Beaumont. The day also saw Shaun Pickering Touch Judge the Year 8 Girls Final and be appointed as Reserve Referee for the Year 9 Girls Final between Castleford Academy and West Lakes.

Mackenzie, Ryan & Shaun pose after officiating a Schools Final.

Denton Arnold Makes Super League TJ Debut

July proved to be a busy month for Society member Denton Arnold. In a month which saw him start a new job, celebrate his 21st birthday, graduate from Edge Hill University with a 1st Class Honours Degree; he made his Super League Touch Judging debut!

Denton Touch Judging Super League – Warrington Wolves v Salford Red Devils | Photo by Pete Smith.

The day after turning 21 Denton took to the Halliwell Jones Stadium turf to Touch Judge Warrington Wolves v Salford Red Devils. The week after saw Denton continue on Super League when he Touch Judged Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves with his brother Tolver Arnold serving as Reserve Referee.

Denton Touch Judging Super League – Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves | Photo by Matthew Merrick
Denton Touch Judging Super League – Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves | Photo by Matthew Merrick
Denton Touch Judging Super League – Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves | Photo by Matthew Merrick
Denton Touch Judging Super League – Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves | Photo by Matthew Merrick

TV Appearances

July saw 5 members appearing on games televised on both Sky Sports and OurLeague;

Ryan Cox, Shaun Pickering & Mackenzie Maddison appeared on OurLeague for the Warner’s National Champion Schools Finals
Shaun Pickering & Craig Smith both appeared on Our League for the Women’s Challenge Cup Quarter Final
Ryan Cox and Shaun Pickering both appeared on OurLeague for the women’s Challenge Cup Semi-Final
Craig Smith (Touch Judge) and Phil Smith (Time Keeper) for Widnes vs Toronto broadcast on Sky Sports

June & July Notable Appointments

Denton Arnold Super League Touch Judging debut – Warrington Wolves v Salford Red Devils
Stuart Fraser U16s Scholarship Refereeing debut – Castleford Tigers v Widnes Vikings
Ryan Cox U16s Scholarship Refereeing debut – Wakefield Trinity v London Broncos
Ryan Cox League One Touch Judge debut – West Wales Raiders v Hunslet RLFC
Shaun Pickering U19s Academy Touch Judging debut – St Helens v Castleford Tigers
Craig Smith (Referee) & Shaun Pickering (Touch Judge) officiated Women’s Challenge Cup Quarter Final – St Helens and Wigan Warriors
Shaun Pickering & Ryan Cox Touch Judged Women’s Challenge Cup Semi-Final – St Helens v Leeds Rhinos
Mackenzie Maddison (Referee) & Shaun Pickering (Touch Judge) officiated North West Counties U16s–18s finals at Blackbrook ARLFC
Stephen Wright & George Towey Refereeing debuts.

Meet Your Referees – Kristian Silcock

Name: Kristian Silcock

Age: 25

Years Officiating: 1

Highest Levels officiated;
U16s Girls (RL Refereeing)
National League (Football Refereeing)
North West Men’s League (Touch Judge)

Kristian Refereeing a Girls RL Match | Photo by Kings Pix

Best Moment of your career?
‘Getting to Touch Judge a cup final at the Totally Wicked Stadium.‘
Funniest Moment of your career?
‘Just started so not got many stories to tell but training on Mondays is always a good laugh.’
Why would you recommend becoming a Rugby League Match Official to someone?
‘It is the best thing you will ever do. Such a great journey and opens up loads of opportunities.’
Kristian Silcock – Full Member

‘Teammates’ with Shaun Pickering

Shaun Pickering Touch Judging U19s Academy at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Who is the cleverest member of our Society?
‘Innes Arnold. He always brings up interesting points and answers.’
Who is the heardest worker in the Society?
‘Brian Cummings is always working hard to develop new Referees in the Society.’
Who is the best rugby player in the Society?
‘I am not one to be big-headed but with my pace and agility I think I am the best rugby player without a doubt… or Dan Bamber who runs the game and helps to make me look good.’
Who is the worst rugby player in the Society?
‘Craig Smith. He is always too scared to run at me or tag me as he knows that he’ll be shown up.’
Who is the most organised member of the Society?
‘Innes Arnold. He always seems to have everything in his kit bag apart from the kitchen sink, although if you ask him he will probably have it in his car boot!’
Who is the least organised member of the Society?
‘This shouldn’t be anyone if you have been on one of Innes’ Match Official Courses or Brian’s Development Meetings!’
Who is the most forgettful member of the Society?
‘Innes Arnold for sure. I am still waiting for him to finish a story he was telling me 3 months ago! If anyone else knows what ‘the fella from Oldham’ said to him please let me know…’
Which member of the Society is the most enthusiastic a training?
‘Brian Cummings. He comes to training every week and walks around the track, I have to say he has lost loads of weight and I think it is really impressive! Is a comeback on the cards?’
Shuan Pickering – Young Member

Important Upcoming Dates

General Meeting – 6th August 2019

Future Editions

Please send all future stories to Ryan Cox so these can be added to newsletters.
Please send all notable appointments to Denton Arnold so these can be added to the honours list.