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Canberra Today 12°/15° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Canberra league ‘legend’ ready to retire

Canberra Region Rugby League chairman Noel Bissett. Photo: Canberra Region Rugby League
“LEGEND of the game”, Canberra Region Rugby League chairman Noel Bissett says it’s the right time to retire and plans to in December. 

Mr Bissett has served on the CRRL committee for 21 years and been chairman for 12 of them. 

“I consider it a privilege to have served during these years,” he says.

Mr Bissett’s retirement ends his 52 years of direct involvement with rugby league within the Canberra region.

Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner says Mr Bisset, a Raiders life-long member, has made a wonderful contribution to the game over many years and will be sorely missed by the rugby league community.

“Noel is a legend of the game in this region and has been one of the most passionate and wonderful contributor to the game we’ve seen in Canberra,” Mr Furner says.

“His achievements as a referee and then administrator will never be forgotten and we wish him nothing but the best for the future.”

After playing in the lower grades in the early 60s’ for the North Sydney Bears, Mr Bissett moved to Canberra in 1965 as part of a transfer from the NSW Fire Brigade to the Canberra Fire Brigade.

In 1966, he played for East Canberra before beginning a career as a referee.

He refereed 275 Country Rugby League matches, including 11 grand finals and was graded into the Winfield Cup, becoming the first Canberra referee to control first grade in Sydney.

During his time as a referee, Mr Bissett refereed touring international sides and was the video referee for the 1997 tri-series between New Zealand, NSW and Queensland and one of the 1999 State of Origin matches at Lang Park.

He was heavily involved with Canberra referees, serving as the director of referees between 1999-2008 as well as serving as the inaugural president of the Canberra/Monaro Men of the League between 2008-2018.

Canberra District Rugby League will appoint a new Chairman in the upcoming months who will assume the role at the conclusion of this year’s “annual general meeting”.

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Ian Meikle, editor

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