Col Pearce

Colin Frederick Pearce (1917 – 10 June 2004)[1] was an Australian rugby league referee. He is one of the most widely known and widely respected referees in the history of rugby league.[2]

Col Pearce
Personal information
Full nameColin Frederick Pearce
Born1917
Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
Died10 June 2004 (aged 86)
Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
Refereeing information
Years Competition Apps
1946–1968 NSW Rugby League 343
1960–1967 Test matches 9

Pearce, born in Newtown, New South Wales, was originally more interested in cricket but that changed to rugby league due to his fascination with the rules and interpretations of the rules of rugby league. He began refereeing in 1946, promoted to first grade fixtures towards the end of the 1947 season. He then took charge of nine test matches between 1960 and 1967, three World Cup matches in 1968 and six Grand Finals, his first being in 1955 and then the others between 1964 and 1968.[3] He enjoyed a career of 343 first grade games.[4] He was authoritative yet he allowed the game to flow. He had a keen relationship with the players where they would show him respect due to his fair and consistent decision making. His motto was that rugby league referees should "eat, sleep and drink the rules of rugby league." He was elected to the Rugby League Referee's Examination Board in 1951.

After his retirement from rugby league refereeing he had a long career as a rugby league commentator in the Sydney electronic and print media, with 2UE,[5] Channel 7[6] and The Sydney Morning Herald.[7]

Pearce later became a journalist, writing featured columns for The Sun-Herald.[8]

Pearce died from pneumonia on 10 June 2004, aged 86.[9]

Col Pearce's grand finals – match reports

1955, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968.

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References
  1. "League world mourns referee Pearce". abc.net.au. 11 June 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  2. "Col Pearce passes away - Breaking News". Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  3. "Col Pearce passes away". The Age. 11 June 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  4. "Referees 1939-2015". Rugby League Tables. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  5. "RL referee & 2UE radio commentator Col Pearce in 1975". newspix.com.au. 16 June 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  6. Heads, Ian. "Controversy" (PDF). National Museum of Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  7. Pearce, Col (30 March 1980). "Rules in scrums must be applied". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  8. Parce, Col (27 May 1979). "POLICE WERE TOO SLOW". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  9. "Death Notice: Pearce, Colin Frederick". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 June 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
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