Worlds collide for QRL officials at special police memorial

Author: Jacob Grams QRL community content producer
Timestamp: Wed 22 Feb 2023, 12:37 PM

Ben Watts is no stranger to being in the middle of big games, but his next appointment is "something special".

In what he describes as his greatest honour yet, Watts will control the feature game of the Queensland Police Service Rugby League Association Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold Memorial Day.

The veteran of 98 Hostplus Cup games will officiate the match between QPS All Stars and QPS Dream Team at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Oval in a community event to remember the lives of two officers who tragically did not return home.

Watts is one of eight Queensland Rugby League officials who will be involved on the day, all of them current serving QPS members, wearing specially-designed kits.

Refereeing may seem a high-pressure environment to some, but for the senior constable, who works in the criminal investigation branch on Brisbane’s northside, it’s his mental health escape from a “hectic” career.

Watts, who has spent nearly 10 years in policing, said he was grateful to bring two huge aspects of his life together for such an important occasion in respect to the families of McCrow and Arnold.

“When I was told I would be officiating one of these games, it’s something I jumped on. I’m definitely proud to be a police officer and to display that out there on the day is going to be something special,” Watts said.

“It’s completely different to games I’ve officiated before like the under 20s State of Origin and grand finals, but this is definitely something that means a lot more to be on a show in honour of two police officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“It’s definitely a tragic event but I think something like this will bring the community together to celebrate the life of Matthew and Rachel.”

Watts might be bending the rules slightly for some former Maroons stars, with local crowd favourite Petero Civoniceva making a cameo for the All Stars facing off against long-time teammate Dane Carlaw on the Dream Team as part of what is meant to be a fun community day.

“It will be an amazing day out and I urge a lot of people to show their support and come and raise funds for the family and support the policing community,” Watts said.

“I’m just going to go out there and enjoy the spectacle and let the teams play footy and make it about the families and Matthew and Rachel.”

QRL state match officials manager Clayton Sharpe said the appointments - including officers registered to community rugby league referee organisations right through to the QRL High Performance Unit - showed the strong link between QRL and QPS.

“These games are offer a great opportunity for QRL to not only support QPS, but also showcase synergies between our organisations, and in particular policing and officiating," Sharpe said.

“Police are synonymous with refereeing rugby league, especially in our regional and remote communities.”

There will be three matches played at Kayo Stadium on Saturday, including QPS All Stars v QPS Dream Team women at 1pm, Arthur Beetson Foundation Future Immortals v QPS Legends at 2pm and QPS All Stars v QPS Dream Team at 3.30pm.

The event will be broadcast live on Channel 9 and 9Now from 1pm.

The community event will continue into the evening with performances from musicians Brad Butcher, Brad Cox and Sammy White and Busby Marou.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow Remembrance Fund.

Tickets are available via Ticketek.