madunit for the Panthers
The First Referee
In 1907, a small group of men became the founding fathers of Australia’s Rugby League referee’s. The man leading them into this exciting future was Edward James “Ted” Hooper.
Born in 1871 in Kent, England, Edward showed great aptitude for sport at a young age. He moved to Australia and immediately found work as manager of the Clovelly beach surf pavilion, which he loved and held for many years.
He began playing Rugby Union, initially as a centre. At the age of 27 he made his first grade debut for Surry Hills, for whom he played from 1899 til 1902. In 1903 he moved to Easts and into the second row, where he became renowned as one of the smartest forwards in the state. In 1903 he played for NSW and won a premiership. In 1905 he played for Sydney, before retiring.
Hooper then became one of the leading officials in the state in 1906 and 1907. By late 1907 discontent amongst the Union ranks and talk of a breakaway Rugby code became stronger. Hooper decided to be a referee for the new game.
On August 28, 1907, Edward Hooper became the inaugural Rugby League Referees Association President. A position he held til 1912. The NSWRL offered to pay the referees and touch officials a small sum for officiating games. Hooper moved that the referees not be paid and the money used elsewhere to ensure the games survival.
The referees also agreed they would donate money to the NSWRL from their own pockets. The referee would donate threepence and the sideline officials gave a shilling for every game they were involved.
Hooper officiated the first Rugby League club game at Birchgrove Oval on April 20, 1908, between Balmain and Wests.
On May 2nd, he became the first to referee a representative Rugby League game in Australasia when NSW hosted New Zealand. By season’s end, Hooper had controlled more club games than any other referee, including two consecutive games on July 4: Newtown v Norths at 2pm and Balmain v Glebe at 3.15pm.
Hooper continued to referee in 1909, before becoming a part-time referee in the lower grades.
At the end of the 1912 season, Ted stood down from his position as Referees Association President and was chosen to manage a NSW squad, which was essentially an unofficial Australian team, to be the first Australian representative team to tour New Zealand.
In the third tour game, Sid Deane was charged with illegally striking an opponent. The NZRL decided to suspend him for the remainder of the tour. The NSW team threatened to strike, but Hooper stepped in and mediated a lesser suspension for Deane which ensured the tour would continue.
The controversy didn’t end there. Hawkes Bay was to host NSW on Saturday at the same ground the NZRU were using on Sunday. League officials asked to use the newly erected stand that the NZRU assembled at the ground. The Union officials agreed but only if the NZRL and NSWRL would pay an exorbitant price. They declined.
On the eve of the League game, Union officials dismantled the stand and took all the materials with them. League officials arrived at the ground the next morning and saw what happened. Hooper, a number of the NSW and Hawkes Bay players and local residents all chipped in with materials and labour to build their own stand, which was completed in time for the game.
The NSW team lost to Auckland before defeating the New Zealand test side. The Sid Deane suspension issue arose again, this time the NZRL decided to reverse the agreement. So as to retain good relations, Hooper agreed. NSW went on to complete the tour undefeated. The tour was heralded as a great success.
Hooper retired from all referee duties at the end of 1912 and became referee selector from 1913 til 1925.
In 1925, he travelled with the NSW team to Brisbane for the fourth interstate game. At half-time, a novelty game between the Brisbane and Ipswich referees was scheduled, with Hooper as the honorary referee. Once the 15 minute game concluded, the referees left the field, the crowd applauding Hooper who waved and smiled as he entered the change rooms.
He went to the shower and collapsed on the floor.
Doctors confirmed Edward James Hooper had died from shock. He was just 54.
He died as a life member of the NSWRL.
The SCG Trust display his 1908 cap and whistle.
747 words. LIFT OFF!
Sources:
Edward James Hooper Jr - Grandson of Ted Hooper (referee)
Family records and images courtesy of the Hooper family.
Sydney Morning Herald
Clarence and Richmond Examiner
The Brisbane Courier
The Referee
The SCG Trust
Sean Fagan (
www.rl1908.com)
www.rugbyleagueproject.org