REFEREES SUPPORT BRAVEHEARTS
NRL
2008-09-04
http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news_REFEREES%20SUPPORT%20BRAVEHEARTS_20080904094420
NRL Referees boss Robert Finch has warned it is not just clubs whose finals chances are on the line this weekend, saying officials had to show the courage to make tough decisions in a round of finals-deciding matches.
And they will have no better motivation than the purple jerseys each official will wear this round in support of Bravehearts, Australia’s largest child protection advocacy group.
“It might sound corny but quite frankly we couldn’t have picked a better week to be wearing a Bravehearts jumper,†Finch said.
“This shapes as one of the most tense season finishes possible with three teams fighting for the minor premiership and seven of the eight matches having a bearing on the top eight.
“All our officials are going to be under a lot of scrutiny, that’s part of the job this time of year, but they have to respond to that challenge and that’s what I will be looking at when deciding finals appointments.
“It is also a tribute to the blokes involved that they wanted to do something publicly for Bravehearts and that they have chosen such an important round to do it.â€Â
The partnership between Bravehearts and NRL Match Officials hopes to encourage millions of Australians to display and carry Bravehearts White Balloons on White Balloon Day – Tuesday, September 9, 2008.
“We are so pleased that the NRL Referees have nominated Bravehearts as their charity of choice this year and for their proud display of Bravehearts’ signature colour (purple) throughout Child Protection Week,†said Hetty Johnston, Founder and Executive Director of Bravehearts.
“The purple jerseys the NRL Referees will be wearing during Child Protection Week are an important signal of support and encouragement to all victims and doubles as a strong message to perpetrators – communities working together can break the silence on child sexual assault.â€Â
For more information, log on to www.bravehearts.org.au.