Super League referee reveals he has overseen his last full-time match appointment

Robert Hicks has been one of the best Super League referees over the last decade since he became a full-time official back in 2011.

Having overseen both major finals, taking charge of the Wembley decider as recently as 2019 and the Grand Final in 2018, he’s been in the top tier of officials in this country for the last five years.

But his role as video referee in yesterday’s international double header in France was his last appointment as a full-time match official as he takes on a new role.

He has been appointed as the RFL’s Director of Operations and Legal meaning the 40-year-old will shift his focus onto his new role whilst still being a part-time official helping the next generation of officials develop and fill the void the loss of such a top notch official will obviously create.

Speaking about his new role, Hicks said: “I’ve loved being part of the full-time officials squad, as much for the team spirit and togetherness as for the big matches I’ve been involved in.

“But this is the right time and reason for me to revert to a part-time and mentoring role, allowing me to devote the majority of my time to Operations and Legal.

“It’s a wide-ranging role covering all areas of regulation, from the Community Game to the Super League.”

Meanwhile, the RFL’s Head of Match Officials only had nice things to say about Hicks as he takes on his new role: “In thanking and congratulating Robert for his contribution as a full-time official for the last decade, I’m also delighted that his knowledge and experience will still be available to us, both as a referee and touch-judge, and as a mentor to younger officials.

“He has been a key figure in our full-time group and is liked and respected by match officials at all levels, for his love of the sport and his commitment to it.”