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Rugby League Fixtures commenced in Brisbane on Saturday 8th May 1909 with four Clubs namely North Brisbane, Toombul, Valleys and South Brisbane. These fixtures were controlled by the Amateur Rugby League Referees Association of Queensland which was formed in April 1909 - the Chairman being Mr W H Beattie. The Referees were M Bore, J Fihelly, G Watson, A Tighe, Buck Buchanan, G Gilles, A Vizer and A Ambrose.
The Brisbane Rugby League was formed in 1922 because Brisbane Clubs and players objected to the treatment they received from QRL. The BRL fixtures were controlled by the QRA who were on Individual Signed Contracts with the BRL. During the 1926 season the BRL approached the Brisbane section of the QRA to change their name to the BRL Referees Association and affiliate with the BRL. At a meeting of the members held at Gilbert Chambers in Queen Street on Monday 20 September 1926, it was agreed to become the BRL Referees' Association and thus the Association was formed.
The Association has had a number of referees that have officiated in National Rugby League, State of Origin and Test Match level. Referees have included Eddie Ward, David Manson, Tim Mander and recently Brett Suttor and Michael Wise.
The Association based out of O'Grady Park, Fairfield, is home to the Association. Modern state of the art training facilities are available to memberss. In 2011, the association had 422 members, making it the largest single Rugby League Referees Association in the world.
In January 2011 , O'Grady Park was one of the many facilties effected by the Brisbane floods. Nearly all equipment, gear, association records were lost. However, with the support of Brisbane City Council, Queeensland Government, business houses and individuals, the facilities were rebuilt. This was mainly in the form of members volunteering their labour to get things moving along, from cleaning up the property through to writing submissions to government for flood assistance available to organisations.
By May 2011, five months after the floods, the facilities were being used by members. This was officially opened by local Councilor for Tennyson Nicole Johnson on a wonderful night enjoyed by members and life members of the Association; through to representatives from government and businesses who contributed to the rebuild of facilities.
The association would like to thank the following sponsors for 2012:
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Last Updated: 29-May-2012
Copyright 2012 Brisbane Rugby League Referees Association Incorporated