The Col Pearce Medal is awarded each year (annually) to the referee judged as being the best referee over the entire National Rugby League (NRL) season in Australia.

Col Pearce Medal
Awarded forThe Referee of the year in the National Rugby League
Country Australia
 New Zealand
First awarded2004
Currently held byGerard Sutton (5th award)
Most awardsGerard Sutton (5)

History

The award is named after Col Pearce, who was a rugby league referee that referee'd from 1946 until 1968. He referee'd in 343 top grade matches, including 6 Grand Finals. He also referee'd in 9 Test Matches, including 3 World Cup matches. He also helped coach the referee's for much of his later life. Tony Archer has referred to him as the doyen of Referee's.

The idea of a medal for best referee was created by Robert Finch, as he thought there was little recognition given to the best referee in any season.

Winners

Year Winner
2004 Tim Mander
2005 Paul Simpkins
2006 Steve Clark
2007 Tony Archer
2008 Tony Archer
2009 Shayne Hayne
2010 Tony Archer
2011 Shayne Hayne
2012 Ben Cummins
2013 Shayne Hayne
2014 Gerard Sutton
2015 Gerard Sutton
2016 Ben Cummins
2017 Matt Cecchin
2018 Gerard Sutton
2019 Gerard Sutton
2020 Gerard Sutton

Multiple Winners

Medals Referee Years
5 Gerard Sutton 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020
3 Tony Archer 2007, 2008, 2010
Shayne Hayne 2009, 2011, 2013
2 Ben Cummins 2012, 2016

See also

References

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