BRUCE  SCHMIDT

     When the first whistle blows for the start of the 2008 Sunshine Coast / Gympie Rugby League competition players will face a new and very experienced referee in the A Grade games.

     Bruce Schmidt who controlled the Ipswich A Grade Grand Final in 2007 has joined the ranks of other top referees in the local SCGRL referees’ Association for season 2008. Bruce is returning to the Sunshine Coast competition where he commenced his refereeing career in Gympie about 20 years ago.

    After leaving the Sunshine Coast 18 years ago Bruce refereed in many Queensland country areas and then officiated in the Ipswich rugby league competition for the past 12 seasons where he refereed 5 A Grade Grand Finals. He became one of the State’s leading referees with 4 years in the elite Queensland Cup competition as both referee and touch judge.

    Bruce is looking forward to officiating in the strong Sunshine Coast competition and passing on some of his refereeing knowledge and experience to the younger up and coming referees based on the Sunshine Coast.