Match officials in NT, SA and TAS have been further resourced by the addition of experienced sports administrator and former Rugby Australia referee Drew Crozier.
An English migrant and former CEO of NT Rugby with extensive experience in ACT Rugby and Cricket Australia, Drew has been appointed Match Official Manager for NT, SA and TAS and will be based full-time in Adelaide from October 2023.
The role will work in close collaboration with the respective referee associations to support their ongoing Match Official recruitment and development.
“Officiating is what I do and what I love, so I’m really excited to help build communication and link players, coaches and referees more closely together,” Drew said.
“I believe education and relationship building is key to tackling that grey area we sometimes see between match officials and others involved in the game.
“I’d also love to really target senior players within the community and help increase the number of those who transition into officiating as that knowledge and understanding is critical to building these relationships further.”
Working across NT, SA and TAS, Drew’s key focus and responsibilities will be as follows:
Right Training
Facilitate and guide the association on the best practice onboarding processes.
Enable training, preparation, and opportunities for pathway athletes and officials.
Provide support to the Associations on structure and content that caters for all stakeholder participants.
Right Environment
Assist in the collaboration between associations to nurture ongoing exchange opportunities.
Support Recruitment and Retention initiatives of the Referee Association.
Facilitate and drive the role of the Match Official within the game throughout the region.
Right Support
Support greater communication between Clubs & Match Officials.
Provide support and transparency to member Associations through the judicial processes.
Facilitate mentoring provisions for junior match officials.
Those wishing to speak further with Drew about the role can contact him via andrew.crozier@rugby.com.au
