Matt Cecchin

Matt Cecchin
Refereeing information
Years Competition Apps
2001 National Rugby League 203
2010 City vs Country Origin 1
20112013 Internationals 5
2012 State of Origin 1
Source: [1]

Matt Cecchin is an Australian rugby league referee in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has officiated at the 2011 Four Nations and a match during the 2012 State of Origin series.

He has been a National Rugby League referee since 2001.

Referee career

Cecchin began his career by controlling Metro Cup matches.[2] He made his first grade debut on 14 July 2001, when he controlled a match between the Wests Tigers and North Queensland. He controlled 22 matches between 2001 and 2004.[1] In 2003 he was told the only way he would remain an official was to become a touch judge.[2]

Cecchin returned to first grade in 2008 and has controlled finals matches since 2009.[1] He controlled the 2011 NRL Grand Final alongside Tony Archer.[3]

International career

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.[1]

Personal life

Cecchin's father played reserve grade for the Newtown Jets.[3]

In 2012, Cecchin revealed he is gay, becoming the first NRL official or player since Ian Roberts in 1995 to declare that he is gay.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Matt Cecchin rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. 2.0 2.1 This Sporting Life: Matt Cecchin smh.com.au, 2 October 2011
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 NRL referee Matt Cecchin says being gay no reason to live in fear dailytelegraph.com.au, 11 February 2012