HON. SECRETARY’S REPORT – Mr Daniel Gardner

Mr Chairman and Members,

After such a tumultuous 2020 season, there was collective high hopes for a much smoother 2021. In what was a major milestone for our Association, we had finally reached our 100th season – the Centenary of Canterbury Referees.

The season started with a bang – 180 members and special guests attended a truly memorable Gala Dinner on Saturday 23rd January to officially kick off our Centenary celebrations. The night was filled with plenty of laughs, good times, and reminiscing. It was great to see current and past members mingling and trading stories about what it means to be a part of such a wonderful Association. In true Canterbury fashion, a select group of members and guests continued said stories over a glass of red in the garden pavilion until the early hours of Sunday morning, with the trackwork lights eventually sending people to bed!

To the members on the Centenary Committee, in particular Paul & Kim Archer, I thank you all for your input in what was a great event. The whole night was meticulously planned, and the feedback received from special guests, sponsors and fellow associations was nothing but amazing.

It would be remiss of me to not congratulate David Abood and Col Turnell, who along with some input from myself created a keepsake that I hope many members will cherish – the Centenary Book showcasing the first 100 seasons of Canterbury Referees.

The hours that David personally contributed to ensure the high standard of the book is beyond belief. The final product is a wonderful publication and something he should be very proud of. I am sure Amanda is also happy to reclaim the lounge room floor now the photos and documents can be stored away again!

HON. SECRETARY’S REPORT

Mr. Daniel Gardner

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Following on from our Gala Dinner, a month later our AGM was held at the home of our Major Sponsor, Canterbury League Club, on Thursday 18th February 2021. Paul Archer was elected unopposed as President for his 6th consecutive season, and 19th overall.

The members elected George Coorey, John Khoury and Aaron Warburton as Patrons for the 2021 season. All three gratefully accepted the role and supported our Association throughout another difficult season.

All Committee positions remained the same as 2020, except for the active Committee Member, with Anthony Harb stepping down and Peter Chayna being voted in as his replacement.

It was announced at the AGM that the Association would induct 2 Life Members in Season 2021, with myself and Nathan Loveday becoming the 88th and 89th Life Members respectively. It was a shock to hear my name announced at the AGM, and a great honour to receive my Life Member’s blazer at the Annual Blue & White Cabaret in front of my family and closest friends in June.

I extend my congratulations to Nathan, who joined the Association not long after myself. We have shared plenty of enjoyable times and many memories throughout our tenure at CBRA and it was quite fitting to receive Life Membership on the same night. Nathan continues to give significant contribution to the Association since becoming a member in 2007.

Sponsorship

Season 2021 saw Canterbury League Club’s major sponsorship of our Association hit the quarter century, extending into its 25th year!

Like many businesses, Canterbury League Club was hit hard by the COVID Lockdown throughout 2021, but still offered to support our Association and we are truly grateful for our relationship with such a wonderful club led by President Peter Winchester. Peter is an Honorary Member for Life our Association, and the League Club is in great hands with him at the helm.

DeVel Pty Ltd entered their third season as ‘shorts sponsor’ of our Association, and we thank Geoff Dib and the team for all their support! It was most pleasing

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to have DeVel confirm a 2-year extension to this sponsorship, with an agreement in place for the 2022 and 2023 seasons! Thank you once again Geoff.

It was also exciting to announce Bankstown RSL had agreed to a 2-year extension as Flag Sponsor. We thank Scott Dickson, Andrew Bailey, and the team at Bankstown RSL for their continued support and hospitality. We look forward to being able to award the ‘Bankstown RSL Touch Judge of The Year’ Award next season, after an unfortunate 2-year hiatus due to COVID.

Thanks to Steve Dib and the team at SONETA Plumbing and Civil who signed on late last year as our ‘sleeve sponsor’ and it was exciting to be able to reveal our new on-field jerseys at our Gala Dinner in January. The new uniforms were a hit with members and the wider junior league fraternity, and we look forward to the wonderful relationship with Steve and SONETA continuing to grow moving forward.

This season also saw our Association welcome a new sponsor, with First National Real Estate Daystar at Revesby signing on for 2 seasons. As a sponsor, Daystar have exclusive naming rights of the Blue & White Cabaret Function and Life Members Function, as well as sponsoring our brand-new award – the ‘Daystar First National Trainer of the Year’ Award. A special thanks to Michael Sleiman, Paul Davis and the team at Daystar for their generous support of our Association and we are hopeful of a wonderful relationship growing in the years to come.

Junior League

After a difficult 2020, the Board and staff at the Junior League largely remained the same. Wayne Oxford retained Presidency for the 2021 season, with John Grealy entering his second season as Head of Junior League. I recall commending John and his staff for their efforts last season in what was a difficult year. Unfortunately, things only got worse in 2021. We were hampered by COVID protocols early in the season before the delta outbreak forced the postponement of the season on June 25th. At the time, we were all optimistic of the season returning in a matter of weeks, but as COVID spread the reality set in that this outbreak was much worse than first feared, and the

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unfortunate news that the 2021 season would be abandoned was made official on August 16th .

During the season shutdown between June-August, the Association ran weekly video sessions keeping members engaged with the hope of the season recommencing. I wish to thank David Abood and Brad Zarb for their efforts in running these sessions and to all members who turned up each Sunday night, I thank you also. In what was a difficult period for everyone across the state, it was pleasing to see members catch up each Sunday and enjoy the sessions put together.

Membership & Meetings

This year the Association held 6 meetings, including the AGM and the average attendance was 41. That kind of average is similar to pre-COVID times, where we had meetings without any restrictions or protocols, so to still achieve that number is a testament to all members.

We welcomed 6 new members on board for the season (Daniel Tarchichi, Sarah Kitiona, Sione Lolohea, Hamzah Rashid, Ana Seata Takapautolo, Tamiki Tohia). Due to washouts and COVID, most of our new members only managed 1 weekend before the season was abandoned. This was bitterly disappointing and whilst out of our control, we will do our best to ensure all new members get the full CBRA experience in 2022!

Training & Development

David Abood returned for a second season as Training Coordinator and unfortunately between COVID, lack of numbers and light issues it wasn’t a very successful season.

David’s approach to training seems to be popular with all members who regularly attend, and there is a visible benefit to attending each week, but we continue to have the issue of a high percentage of active members failing to regularly attend training, if at all. We as an Association understand that members may have to put work, family, or study before training, but, if you are an active member and find yourself sitting on the lounge at home when training is on, maybe think about coming up to a session and joining in. It may be daunting at first, but like everything the more you do it the easier it

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becomes. Training is purely for the benefit of active members and with the experienced coaches we have within our Association, we can ensure those members who wish to progress further have all the skills and knowledge at their disposal. There is also a place for the elder statesmen of the Association at training – all are welcome!

Awards

For the second consecutive season, several of our major awards were not presented due to the abandonment of the season

Due to the effect COVID-19 had on our season, the Committee felt that the only awards that could be presented and be judged fairly on their merits were the ‘Leo Randle Award’ and our newest award, the ‘First National Daystar Training of the Year’ Award’. All other Association awards were not presented this season.

Congratulations to Barry Belford who was the recipient of the ‘Leo Randle Award’ for this season. Barry continues to be involved within the Association and is a worthy recipient of this honour!

The inaugural winner of the ‘First National Real Estate Daystar Trainer of the Year Award’ was Jack McIlvenny. David will touch more on this in his Training Coordinators Report, but to say this award was well deserved by Jack would be a gross understatement. Jack’s commitment and dedication to training each week was first class. Jack always turns up with a smile on his face and gives 100% effort in every facet of training. It was an easy (and in fact unanimous) decision, and we congratulate Jack for his efforts.

Grade – NRL/NSWRL

The NRL season was once again hampered by COVID-19, with the competition eventually relocating to Queensland in July, with the remainder of the competition, including the Final Series being completed north of the Border. Adam Gee had another successful season, with 2021 being his 11th year in the top grade. Adam refereed 26 matches throughout the season, including being selected for Week 1 of the Final Series, controlling the Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans match @ QCB Stadium in Townsville.

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Adam has now refereed a total of 186 NRL matches and has become one of the leagues senior referees and we look forward to him bringing up the double century next season!

On the Grade front, we once again were represented by Jack Bird, Nathan Loveday, and Jimmy Oliveira. All were regulars in various grades on most weekends up until the cancellation of the NSWRL season in August.

Special mention to Jimmy Oliveira who announced his retirement at the end of the 2021 season after 450 matches in Grade – a phenomenal achievement!

Thanks again to NSWRLRA for their support throughout the season, in particular Chairman Peter Filmer, Executive Officer Greg McCallum and Directors Matthew Hewitt and Steve Clapson.

At a Special General Meeting held in November, members of the NSWRLRA voted to adopt the new Constitution in the next step towards the merger with the CRLRA. We have been advised that this merger will not influence how district Associations continue to operate, and we wish all parties well with the merger moving forward.

Vale

Unfortunately, season 2021 was another season where members of our Association suffered a loss.

In May, we learnt of the passing of Nick Oustambasidis’ mother, Vicki

We then were informed of the passing of Reg Marks’ mother, Maxine in August.

Our Association passes on our deepest condolences to the Oustambasidis and Marks’ families – both well respected members of our Association.

To any member who experienced a loss of a loved one throughout 2021, our thoughts are with you also.

Social

The season started full of promise, with our Centenary Gala Dinner going ahead in January, albeit under COVID protocols, but all in attendance were still able to enjoy a wonderful evening.

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We were also lucky enough to be able to hold our ‘First National Daystar Annual Blue & Cabaret’ in June which was well attended and a great night. Unfortunately, COVID-19 ensured many of our remaining events planned for our Centenary season were postponed or cancelled.

Majority of our General Meetings were cancelled, our Life Member’s Reunion also cancelled, whilst our Training & Development Camp has been postponed to the weekend of February 5th -6th . We held our postponed Centenary BBQ on Sunday 16th January 2022 which was well attended by member’s and guests. Special thanks to Mark Nicholls from the South Sydney Rabbitohs who was our guest speaker at extremely late notice!

A special thank you to Social Secretary Kim Archer and her Social Committee for another year of wonderful events, although some were a late withdrawal from the calendar, we certainly did the best we could with the circumstances we were faced with.

General

We had 3 members in the ‘Metro Development Squad’ for the 2021 season, with Ramzi Daizli being joined by newcomers to the squad in Matthew Gomes and Jabril Daizli.

From all reports, all 3 members are continuing to impress, and it is most pleasing to see these members coming back to CBRA training and offering advice and guidance to our younger more inexperienced members. This is exactly what our Association is all about!

In exciting news, we have 5 members in this squad in 2022, with Colton Anderson-Seaton and Rami Abu-Mansour joining Ramzi, Matthew and Jabril. We wish all members well for the upcoming season.

Unfortunately, due to border closures our annual exchanges were unable to proceed again in 2021. We are hopeful of eventually being able to participate in these programs again soon and renewing our relationships with Gold Coast and Auckland Referees.

Our Association was made aware of some very disappointing news, with one of our young, promising active members Owen Millar being diagnosed with

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cancer in May of this year. Owen is a wonderful member with a bright future ahead of him, and we are right behind him every step of the way with his battle.

Whilst it was a difficult year for so many and our season was heavily disrupted due to COVID-19, with all darkness comes hope and it was most pleasing to see some positive news filter through the Association throughout the year.

In April, Jack Bird tied the knot to the lovely Courtney. Congratulations!

It was also exciting to hear of a couple of engagements, with Joseph Tesoriero and Jacinta becoming engaged, and Life Member Nathan Loveday dropping down on one knee and proposing to long-time girlfriend Karissa! We wish Joseph & Jacinta, as well as Nathan & Karissa all the very best preparing for the next exciting chapter!

Not to be out done, former President and Life Member David Abood and wife Amanda welcomed a new addition to the family, with Ethan James Abood joining the world on Wednesday 22nd December 2021. The old clippings and CBRA photos in the Abood lounge room have now been replaced with a cot and change table! Congratulations David and Amanda.

In closing, I continue to enjoy serving as your Secretary and I want to again thank all the members for their support throughout another difficult season. I am so proud to have become a Life Member of this Association and one of the best decisions I have ever made was picking up the phone 16 years ago and calling Lionel Brown with an interest in becoming a referee. I could’ve never predicted what being a member of CBRA would do for me as a person and I truly implore our younger members to get involved. We must continue to evolve with the times and fresh faces and fresh ideas are always welcome!

Thanks to all other members who served on the committee again throughout 2021. I think in such difficult times, decisions must be made hastily, and our committee was always willing to jump on a Zoom call and discuss ideas and suggestions on how we work our way through the pandemic.

As I have done each season, I must personally thank Paul Archer who continues to show incredible leadership and guide our Association through the most difficult of times.

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No one knows what 2022 will look like as far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, but I am confident we are well equipped to adapt as required and continue to serve the Junior League to the best of our ability.

2021 was another difficult year, but I know we will be back bigger and better and I look forward to seeing members at our Annual General Meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday 9th March 2022 @ Canterbury League Club.

Daniel Gardner Hon. Secretary

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