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.
| Col Pearce Medal | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | The Referee of the year in the National Rugby League |
| Country |  Australia New Zealand |
| First awarded | 2004 |
| Currently held by | Gerard Sutton (5th award) |
| Most awards | Gerard Sutton (5) |
History
editThe 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
edit| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Tim Mander |
| 2005 | Paul Simpkins |
| 2006 | Steve Clark |
| 2007 | Tony Archer |
| 2008 | Tony Archer |
| 2009 | Shayne Hayne |
| 2010 | Tony Archer |
| 2011 | Shayne Hayne |
| 2012 | Ben Cummins |
| 2013 | Shayne Hayne |
| 2014 | Gerard Sutton |
| 2015 | Gerard Sutton |
| 2016 | Ben Cummins |
| 2017 | Matt Cecchin |
| 2018 | Gerard Sutton |
| 2019 | Gerard Sutton |
| 2020 | Gerard Sutton |
Multiple Winners
edit| Medals | Referee | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Gerard Sutton | 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| 3 | Tony Archer | 2007, 2008, 2010 |
| Shayne Hayne | 2009, 2011, 2013 | |
| 2 | Ben Cummins | 2012, 2016 |
