KARRA-LEE Nolan capped off a sensational 2016 season on the field at the recent annual Group 7 referees dinner.
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The 22-year-old was named both South Coast Group 7 Referee of The Year, voted for by the board of directors of South Coast Group 7 Rugby League, and South Coast Group 7 Referees Association: Cleary Brothers Referee of The Year, voted for by referees (peers) in the Group 7 Referee Association.
There have been many referees that have received the awards and progressed on to becoming successful, whether that be within Group 7 rugby league or higher up, within the ranks of officiating, Nolan said.
I had set myself goals within the season of remaining consistent and aiming of developing myself a stature within the senior grades.
I believe both awards are very gratifying in being recognised for not only the efforts put in on field but also recognising the conduct and attitude off the field in engaging with the wider community.
The prestige nature of both awards is recognised by both the board of directors and peers within the referee association and this is rewarding.
At 22-years-of-age, to have been rewarded with my first reserve grade grand final and to then further accept the two top awards for the refereeing season, I am very proud and humble with these achievements and look forward to working harder next year.
This is the first time Nolan has won the Cleary Brothers Referee of The Year award, while she is now back-to-back recipient of South Coast Group 7 Referee of The Year.
Starting my refereeing career back in 2010, I had always looked up to those members who upheld a first grade stature and as I developed as a referee, I was determined to develop a stature of a hard working ethic and commitment towards reaching this goal, she said.
These awards are the highest rewards within Group 7 rugby league for refereeing and for me personally hold the highest stature for my short-term refereeing career to date alongside the selection into the representative squads and officiating programs over the past year.
In 2016, Nolan refereed both the Harold Mathews competitions within New South Wales Rugby League, as well as Group 7 and during both competitions, she also held positions in the NRL Referee Academy and the Women in League Officiating Program.
Her 2016 season concludes in mid-November with the National Officiating Scholarship at the Australian Institute of sport, before she starts to prepare for another big year on the field in 2017.
Preseason for New South Wales Rugby League Junior Representative Squad commences November 9 where the referees undergo a series of fitness testing and trial matches to regain a selection into the squad for the 2017 season, she said.
This season concludes April/May and then I return to Group 7 to referee until season ends in September I cant wait.