Following a discussion with the Board of the Balmain Referee’s Association, we have agreed to name the U/14 Scholarship winner the Cliff Brown Scholarship Award. I am sure that he will be honoured with this and the members of Association appreciate the work that Cliff has done for the Association, NSW Referees, NSW and Australian Rugby League. The award winner will travel with the Balmain Tigers Development Tour to Queensland in the October School holidays and will be awarded to the best all round junior referee in our District. Below I have outlined Cliff's achievements which may be of assistance to you when reporting this back to the District: From this platform, he was able to go onto further honours, being appointed to Referee the President's Cup Final in 1946. He created such an impression, that he was immediately called into Grade and appointed to a Third Grade fixture as a Referee. He quickly progressed through the ranks to First Grade, a position he held until his retirement from active duties in 1962, refereeing well over 100 first grade games. During his time in Grade, Cliff refereed many Grade Grand Finals, culminating in his appointment to Interstate fixtures, (the predecessor to State of Origin) at both Lang Park and the Sydney Cricket Ground. In 1956 he controlled the New South Wales v New Zealand match. Further Honours came his way when he was appointed to control the New South Wales v Great Britain fixture at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On retirement, Cliff immediately took to administrative duties, becoming the delegate of the NSW Referees' Association on the General Committee of the NSWRL. He was later elected to the Management/Executive Committee, the forerunner to the Board of Directors, where he served for ten years. Cliff was also a member of the examination board and served as Chairman. In 1966 he was appointed Manager for the NSW Team in the games against Queensland and in 1977, Managed the Australian World Cup Team on their successful defence of the Trophy. When the NSWRL decided to appoint a Director of Referees with the sole control of all appointments, Cliff was the obvious choice. He filled the role with distinction, until his retirement. During this time his interest in the Balmain Rugby League Referees' Association did not wane and at various times he held the Positions of President (1958-1961), Treasurer (1946-1947) and on a number of committees. Cliff is a Life Member of both the Balmain District Rugby League Referees' Association and the NSW Rugby League Referees' Association. The Association is proud to have Cliff Brown Honoured by naming the U/14 Referee Scholarship offered by the Balmain Tigers Football Club the Cliff Brown Scholarship Award. The winner for 2008 is Tom Cambourne. David Wilson JP |