Inaugural QRL High Performance Unit officiating awards
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Nick Pelgrave and Lachlan Sutton have headlined the inaugural Queensland Rugby League High Performance Unit awards, in a celebration of the state’s top match officials.
Pelgrave took out the Referees’ Referee award while Sutton was named Rookie of the Year at the event at Nudgee Golf Club on Monday, October 3.
The Referees’ Referee was a peer-nominated and voted accolade, which went to Pelgrave for his “approachability and selfless attitude”.
“Nick has embraced the culture and continues to live and breathe this on a daily basis,” officiating High Performance Unit coach Andrew Wareham said.
“He transitioned into the NRL this year and finished with 20 games, was a key driver to create the awards day and demonstrated a willingness to get out and develop the junior members through post-game, carnivals and more.”
Sutton, meanwhile, was recognised for his work at the Hastings Deering Colts level, including officiating the competition’s grand final, and also for refereeing at the National Schoolboys Championship.
Wareham and state match officials manager Clayton Sharpe commended him on his dedication to training and how he had developed this year, both on and off the field.
The inaugural awards gave the HPU squad the opportunity to come together and celebrate their achievements, as well as acknowledge the work of their support staff, their strength and conditioning team – led by John Mitchell – and their families.
“The HPU have embraced Clayton and I, and bought into what we are trying to achieve,” Wareham said.
“This group is about building better humans and embracing our culture of humility and being your best self.
“For both Clayton and I, we came through the era of Richard Johnston who used to tell us that, ‘I may not make you a better referee, but I will make you a better person.’
“That mantra lies deep in the heart of what we are all about and influences us every single day in our interactions.”
Award winners
Referees’ Referee
Nick Pelgrave
Touch judge of the year
Steve Kanowski, as nominated and voted by his peers
Rookie of the Year
Lachlan Sutton
Trainer’s award
Scott Whelan
Coach of the year
John Topp and Vic Collins
Clubman of the year
Nick Morel
Nick Euclid Medal (Hostplus Cup grand final referee)
Jarrod Cole
John Topp Medal (Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup referee)
Nick McEwan
