Grant Atkins has been refereeing since he was 14. A member of the Penrith district and coming from a rugby league family, the game has always been in his blood.
Atkins explains that climbing the refereeing ranks is very similar to the NRL pathway for players. Rising through refereeing Harold Matthews, SG Ball, Under 20s, NSW Cup and then the NRL.
Refereeing requires a thick skin and the ability to deal with heavy scrutiny. It's something referees have to deal with at all levels of the game.
Atkins says the retention rates for juniors are low with many picking up the whistle in their mid-teens but getting put off by the criticism of local parents and fans.
Atkins also talks through the training required to perform at the elite level. These days referees are put through a pre-season similar to the torturous sessions the players are put through.
Added to the physical preparation, referees also have to work on their decisions under fatigue with them often being physically exhausted and then asked to process large amounts of information.
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Replies
Ahhh Graeme Atkins, the Parra legend, son.
I dont think we've won a single game when he has reffed us. Definitely not a penalty count.
Obviously trying to prove he's not biased.
Probably the worst ref in the comp. Not sure how the f*ck he got through all of those levels he speaks about.
Very interesting Super. The training to make decisions under fatigue was interesting, as most of might multi-task but not typically with an emphasis upon cognitive selection while exhausted. I also thought Atkins’ answers about making mistakes was illuminating, as it suggests players petulantly critiquing the ref is not going to be helpful to a red who just needs to get on with refereeing.
Good interview skills, I would add.
Thanks Daz. It does explain why refs aren't really open to talk to captains about decisions because they can't change them and they just want to get on with refereeing the game.
The old excuse players are caught up heat of moment and have lot on line doesn't cut it as no other professional sport allows players to continually question refs as the NRL does.
It is now just a tactic to slow game and try to influence the ref and should be fixed ASAP
I'd say soccer has way more questioning of referees than rugby league does.