Hon. Auditors’ Report

For many years (17) Barry Ruttle has worked tirelessly as the NRAS Coordinator and continued to referee and mentor referees every Saturday in mini / mod games as well as being on the Advisory Board panel. As NRAS Coordinator I’m sure he felt he was pushing against the tide of public opinion to keep our junior game the same as it has been for many years, but we needed to make our game safer for children and Barry’s efforts has been a significant contribution to the changes we have started to embrace. For his persistent efforts and active involvement in the association Barry is a very worthy winner of the Leo Randle award for 2011.

For over 15 years we have been involved in exchange programs with referee associations outside the metropolitan area and this year John Gerges and Gavin Beecroft represented the association in Perth along with Phelix El-Kek and Barry Belford who travelled north to the Sunshine Coast. Jo Makdessi, a former member of Canterbury, was WARLRA’s representative visiting our association from Perth. This program is important to the development of our members and is a sought after appointment each year. Congratulations to the members who represented our association with distinction.

At the conclusion of the season I have been advised that Brad Zarb will not be seeking re-election after 4 years as our Treasurer and Robert Dubois will not recontesting the role of Assistant Secretary in 2012. I would like to extend my thanks to both gentlemen for giving of their time and commitment to the Committee. Brad has moved to the foot of the mountains and has increased his duties at work. The role of Treasurer is very important to the security of the association and Brad has continued the high integrity required of this role. I’m sure he will remain a committed member and will contribute with his valuable independent opinion.

The Committee has worked hard to ensure we remain progressive in our thoughts and actions and have continued to look for new ideas and implement changes to maintain interest in the various facets of our association. David Abood and Adam Gee took on the role as Training Coordinators and with the use of guest NRL trainers the attendance has been the best it has been in years and I thank them for revamping the training program. Gavin Beecroft has been diligent in his role as Social Secretary with greater involvement in the golf day and the introduction of the indoor sports day for the active (and not so active) members held in October. All our social events went off without a hitch which is due to the planning and commitment of Gavin. Lionel Brown has been our Coaching Coordinator since May 1997 and with his Assistants continues to ensure the new referees are aware of and ready to take on the duties of a referee. This season saw a very pleasing number of over 11 new recruits pass through our coaching courses and we encourage them to take up the challenge again in 2012 to continue to learn the art of being a referee.

My thanks also to Richard Daizli in his first successful year as Director of Referees with the support of Kim Archer and Matt Damaso in their roles as Assistant