Matt Cecchin

Matt Cecchin (born 1973) is an Australian former rugby league referee who officiated in the NRL between 2001 and 2021. Cecchin has officiated international matches at the 2011 Four Nations and 2017 World Cup, and domestic representative matches in all three games of the 2017 State of Origin series.

Matt Cecchin
Personal information
Born1973[1]
Refereeing information
Years Competition Apps
2001–21 National Rugby League 300
2010 City vs Country Origin 1
2011–17 Internationals 12
2012–17 State of Origin 4
2018 Super League 1
Source: [2]
As of 11 February 2018

Referee career

Cecchin began his career by overseeing Metro Cup matches.[3] He made his first grade debut when he took over from an injured Steve Clark at halftime of a New Zealand Warriors and Northern Eagles match on 1 June 2001.[4] His first full first grade match was on 14 July 2001, when he officiated a match between the Wests Tigers and North Queensland. He controlled 22 matches between 2001 and 2004.[2] In 2003, he was told the only way he would remain an official was to become a touch judge.[3]

Cecchin returned to first grade in 2008 and has been in charge of finals matches since 2009.[2] He controlled the 2011 NRL Grand Final alongside Tony Archer.[5]

Cecchin was appointed to control the 2010 City vs Country Origin match and refereed in the 2011 Four Nations. He controlled one match during the 2012 State of Origin series.[2]

He was awarded his second Grand Final appointed 2016 NRL Grand Final as lead referee along with assistant Ben Cummins. He was appointed lead referee for Game I of the 2017 State of Origin series.

In February 2018, Cecchin refereed one Super League match when Wigan Warriors took their home game against Hull F.C. to WIN Stadium in Wollongong, Australia.[6][7]

Personal life

Cecchin's father played reserve grade for the Newtown Jets.[5]

In 2012, Cecchin revealed he was gay, becoming the first NRL official or player since Ian Roberts in 1995 to do so.[8][5]

Cecchin has revealed having panic attacks before a match. He is a mental health ambassador for rugby league.[9]

References
  1. "Matt Cecchin Husband Or Wife – Who Is NRL Referee Married To?". www.zgr.net. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  2. Matt Cecchin rugbyleagueproject.org
  3. This Sporting Life: Matt Cecchin smh.com.au, 2 October 2011
  4. Jessup, Peter (2 June 2001). "Rugby League: Warriors shine at the Death". Retrieved 7 April 2017 – via New Zealand Herald.
  5. NRL referee Matt Cecchin says being gay no reason to live in fear dailytelegraph.com.au, 11 February 2012
  6. "WiganWarriors v Hull FC - Matt, Nick & Jeff". NSWRLRA.com. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  7. Walter, Brad (10 February 2018). "Wigan win Super League match over Hull in Wollongong". NRL.com. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  8. Webster, Andrew (2 August 2018). "Death threats and ongoing criticism force Cecchin to quit the NRL". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  9. Webster, Andrew (7 April 2017). "'I was going to fake an injury': NRL referee Matt Cecchin opens up about mental health". Retrieved 7 April 2017 – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
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