The Huddersfield Giants Supporters Association held a highly successful and informative evening with guests Jamie Bloom and Ben Thaler. The host for the event was Mick Beavers.

Jamie informed the audience that he has a deep love and enthusiasm for Rugby League. He was attracted to the game from Rugby Union because he was told it was more physical! He certainly displayed controlled aggression in his time at the Giants some six years ago. Upon leaving the Giants he played for Halifax before joining Radio Leeds where he is equally forthright with his views on the game.

It was whilst commentating that he said about a particular referee “I can do better than that”. The following day the head of Rugby League referees, Stuart Cummings, phoned Jamie to “prove it”. Jamie has since joined the ranks of the men in the middle and currently referees Championship matches.

His mentor is Ben Thaler, one of the top referees in the country.

Ben’s background is Rugby League through and through. He played the game as a junior and took to refereeing at 13. He has risen through the ranks the hard way, refereeing every standard from juniors, amateurs, semi-professionals, and now Super League.

He gave many valuable and interesting insights into how referees go about their business from preparing for a match, refereeing the game and their relationships with the Touch Judges, through to reviewing the games after the weekend.

The second part of the meeting involved members of the audience asking Jamie and Ben many searching questions. The answers given were both enlightening and candid.

In closing the evening, Dave Calverley thanked the guests for giving up their time to speak to the fledgling organisation. He then reminded the audience that the next meeting would be a quiz which will be held on Tuesday, 27th July [teams of no more than 5. For further details about either the quiz or the Supporters Association please PM me.

Thanks for that Ivor and good luck with it all. I hope all Giants fans get behind what could be areally good venture for the fans and the club.

hope it works out ok for you fella