COUNTRY-loving referee Troy Wells was delighted when his wife Trish joined him on the rugby league field.
That was three years ago before Trish surged on in the regional referee ranks.
Troy and Trish’s son Cooper is in his fourth year refereeing.
Now, the Marburg-based couple with strong Rosewood ties have another welcome addition to their weekly rugby league commitments.
Cooper’s younger brother Mitchell has started his journey controlling matches from under 6 to under 9.
Troy, who has officiated for a decade, said it made for some tremendous family time sharing knowledge.
Trish agreed, saying he appreciated the encouragement and support.
“There’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff,” she said.
“You’ve got somebody who understands and you communicate with them – talk through your games after you finish and a lot of chat before.”
Trish had previously been on the Rosewood club committee and done some junior coaching before considering a stint as a referee.
She had to quickly adjust her focus as a mum after joining the Ipswich Rugby League Referees Association in 2022.
“I am still loving it,” Trish said.
“It has its challenges … but it’s definitely fun and enjoyable.”
Troy, a truck driver, made his A-Grade debut this year running the line after regularly officiating in Reserve Grade.
Trish has performed interchange roles up to A-Grade.
Troy and Trish both officiated along the lines on opposite sides of the field during a recent C-Grade match between Fassifern and Goodna at Harrisville.
They said their Marburg upbringing and early links to Rosewood made refereeing more enjoyable.
“We love the country,” Trish said. “We love the community we have.
“That’s why we chose to be out that way because we’re both from country areas in NSW.”
Troy grew up in Dorrigo before moving to Queensland.
Trish spent a number of years in the Riverina area of Albury-Wodonga.
They met at Bundamba TAFE in 1995 doing a food and beverage course.
Cooper, who turns 18 this year, mostly controls Saturday games from under 6 to under 14, having also officiating running the line in Reserve Grade.
He used to play for the Rosewood club before accepting the refereeing challenge.
“I don’t think I’ll make it to the NRL but I’ll go as far as I can go,” he said.
Cooper said learning from his dad in senior grades helped him.
“You get to ask him questions when you are going up through the grades,” he said.
Cooper hopes to work in the care field, helping others after finishing school at Lowood State High.
Newcomer Mitchell, 13, also appreciated the help from his parents and Cooper.
“It’s grown bigger than what I would have thought,” Troy said, of the family’s enthusiasm for refereeing.
“I was pretty surprised when I managed to get Trish involved.
“Cooper always was pretty familiar with the rules as a player so I figured it would be a natural progression for him.
“Mitchell is doing under 9s and he is enjoying it.”
