Rebecca wins referee award

FEMALE Rugby League referee Rebecca Solan collected two awards at the joint Warrington and Widnes Rugby League Referee’s Society presentation night.
Rebecca, another promising female official within the Warrington society, picked up the Warrington RLRS Most Improved Referee of the Year award. She was also presented the Joe Manly Cup for her contributions to the Warrington society. Both awards were presented to her by former first grade match official Tony Brown.
Warrington Rugby League Referee’s Society chairman Graeme Chicken, who selected Rebecca for the Joe Manly Cup, said he chose her specifically for her recruitment contributions and encouraging others to take up the whistle.
Graeme said: “Rebecca has shown a lot of commitment to the society, refereeing and rugby league in general. Not only has she gone above and beyond what we expect from our members in terms of recommending people to become a match official, she has developed since attending her RFL Match Officials Course into a competent and promising referee.
“Her performances on the field have been very good in general, and the feedback we receive from community game coaches and volunteers has been excellent. She takes pride in what she does when she steps onto the field with a whistle in hand, and her love of the sport and refereeing shines through when she is on the field.”
Rebecca is the second female match official to be recognised for her achievements from the Warrington society in two years, following the footsteps of Tara Jones who was awarded top honours at last year’s presentation evening.
Other award winners on the night include Nick Woodward, who took home the Warrington RLRS Referee of the Year trophy, and Connor Griffiths who was awarded Warrington RLRS Young Referee of the Year.
First grade match officials and Warrington society members, Phil Bentham and Matt Thomason, were also presented with awards to commemorate their achievements throughout the year. Phil refereed both the Tetley’s Challenge Cup Final and the First Utility Super League Grand Final, whilst Matt was in charge of the Kingstone Press Championship Grand Final.
From the Widnes Rugby League Referee’s Society, Ray Keir was awarded Senior Referee of the Year, adding to his North West Men’s League Referee of the Year award he had picked up 24 hours earlier.
Former first grade referee Dave Campbell received a special award for being appointed Match Commissioner for the Super League Grand Final this season. He was also appointed as Timekeeper for the Challenge Cup Final earlier this year.
The Widnes RLRS Harold Worth Memorial Award went to Jack Newport, while Widnes RLRS Society Member of the Year was presented to Dylan Ward.
Pictured: Tony Brown (left) presents Rebecca Solan (right) with her Warrington Rugby League Referee’s Society Most Improved Referee of the Year award.