Referees turn to each other with Support Squad

Helping officials better manage the pressures they face both on and off the field are a key part of performance and this is set to improve as more referees sign on to the Support Squad ranks.

Queensland Rugby League officiating high performance unit coach Andrew Wareham and community official Emma Maguire were among two of the first in the referee space to partake in Support Squad training earlier this year.

The training not only involves mental health first aid qualifications, but greater knowledge on resources available to people who need further professional support from services such as QRL tele-mental-health partner White Cloud Foundation.

This weekend is Turn To Me Round, where people involved in the game are encouraged to seek support and guidance, and generally check in on the welfare of their mates.

Wareham said there were so many things going on in the lives of referees, making how it manifested on the field as the "tip of the iceberg".

"When we look at our group, we've got a lot of new dads, we've got new graduates, we've got outside pressures and it's about having the ability to probably switch that off and do what they need to do on field," Wareham said.

"And in our roles (in Support Squad) we don't necessarily have to know the answer, but what's really important is we recognise the fact that someone's off their game, they're not their normal self and know where to send them."

Wareham said referees had historically focused on negatives, adding to the pressure, with a drive towards a solutions-based culture also hoped to improve the wellbeing of officials.

"So it's about how do you change that mindset to take a bit of a different look at the world and if someone can gain the confidence on field, we know that can then transition into their working lives, their personal lives and their relationships as well," Wareham said.

Wareham said it was hoped high performance unit officials could take those cultural changes and wellbeing tips back to their local associations.

Maguire, who is also QRL South East community competitions coordinator for female rugby league, said just knowing the resource was there was comforting for match officials.

Maguire had already completed her mental health first aid before joining Support Squad, an addition to her interest to postgraduate studies in psychology and neuroscience.

"Referees have a really high pressure job, the same as players, coaches and everyone in rugby league has this service offered to them, so I think it's important that referees also have the same support afforded to them," Maguire said.

"It's massive... knowing that (Support Squad) person is there and just that peace of mind knowing you're also given the same opportunities that everyone else in rugby league is, is massive for referees as well.

"I think it's appreciated. I've already had a good chat just as you do with your friends naturally in conversations about things, but also some people who I haven't necessarily been close to within our squad have already reached out to me and spoken to me about things and then also in the wider referee community, I know referees associations are starting to implement things like wellbeing contacts and things like that just within their own referee association.

"So that's a really positive step as well."