News

Ben Casty appointed to Elite Match Officials Squad

Published by IRL
20 Mar 2021

French referee, Ben Casty is the eighth and final referee to have his nomination for the Elite Match Official Squad (EMOS) accepted by International Rugby League (IRL)

Casty, a former player, has refereed internationally since 2014 including European Championship games. He has officiated in the French Championship Final as well as French Cup Final over recent years. He has been a regular referee in the Elite Championship for a number of years. Ben was nominated for the panel by the French Federation Rugby XIII (FFRXIII).

Speaking following the appointment of Casty, Stuart Cummings, IRL Match Officials Manager welcomed the nomination from FFRXIII, saying; “The international game has a great history that has always involved referees from France, so it was really good to receive Ben’s nomination for the Elite Match Official Squad.

“He is a hardworking, dedicated referee who is determined to prove himself at the highest level. His performances over the last two seasons have shown that he is capable of performing at a high level and being part of this squad will only enhance his chances of doing that”.

Casty, who will be the only referee in the squad who is not a full-time official, said after receiving news of his selection, “I am moved, very moved, but very honoured to represent French refereeing. It is a great honour, and I am aware that I still have a lot of work to do and that there is a gap to be filled with the professional referees, but I will work hard to make it happen.” He continued; “A thought for my wife and my daughters, because they made a lot of concessions so that I could continue to referee. A thought also for my parents who have always supported me.” These are sentiments that will echo with match officials all round the world.

IRL introduced a squad system as part of its Match Officials programme in 2020. Referees can be nominated for one of three squads by their national governing body, and the IRL will then decide if they should be appointed to the Elite Match Official Squad, the International Match Officials Panel (IMOS) Squad or the Emerging Match Officials Panel (EMOP).

Members of EMOS will take charge of the top tier of games including the Rugby League World Cup 2021, members of IMOS will be appointed to the next tier of matches and the officials in EMOP will be appointed to referee games between emerging nations.

The full list of the Elite Match Officials Squad is:

Grant Atkins – Australia

Ben Casty – France

Robert Hicks – England

Chris Kendall – England

Ashley Klein – Australia

Liam Moore - England

Henry Perenara – New Zealand

Gerard Sutton – Australia

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