The Col Pearce Medal is awarded each year (annually) to the referee judged as being the best referee over the entire National Rugby League (NRL) season in Australia.
History The award is named after Col Pearce, who was a rugby league referee that referee'd from 1946 until 1968. He referee'd in 343 top grade matches, including 6 Grand Finals. He also referee'd in 9 Test Matches, including 3 World Cup matches. He also helped coach the referee's for much of his later life. Tony Archer has referred to him as the doyen of Referee's.
The idea of a medal for best referee was created by Robert Finch, as he thought there was little recognition given to the best referee in any season.
Winners YearWinner2004Tim Mander2005Paul Simpkins2006Steve Clark2007Tony Archer2008Tony Archer2009Shayne Hayne2010Tony Archer2011Shayne Hayne2012Ben Cummins2013Shayne Hayne2014Gerard Sutton2015Gerard Sutton2016Ben Cummins2017Matt Cecchin2018Gerard Sutton2019Gerard Sutton2020Gerard Sutton
Multiple winners MedalsRefereeYears5Gerard Sutton2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 20203Tony Archer2007, 2008, 2010Shayne Hayne2009, 2011, 20132Ben Cummins2012, 2016
See also
Dally M Medal
References
External links