George Cox will make history on Saturday as the first Hull-born referee to take charge of a final at Wembley. The 17-year-old will officiate the curtain-raiser in the capital when the Year 7 boys from Hull’s Sirius Academy West face Rainford High School, St Helens, in the Steven Mullaney Memorial Match.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the schoolboys’ curtain-raiser held before the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley – a tradition that also recognises outstanding young officials by giving them a chance to perform on the national stage.
George will be cheered on from the stands by mother Vicky, father Steve, stepmother Amanda, and grandad Graham on Saturday.
Currently in the second year of his A-Levels, George plans to pursue an apprenticeship in accountancy – while he holds a dream of going professional as a referee. Outside of his studies, his week as an RFL official is packed – often refereeing scholarship games on Wednesday evenings, followed by amateur matches on weekends, plus hours spent reviewing game footage during the week. A former Cottingham Tigers player, he also recently took charge of his first National Conference League Premier Division match.
On his young journey so far, George has formed a strong mentorship with a former Super League referee. The youngster was also a touch judge for the same Wembley final last year.
“I’m the first person from Hull to be in the middle of a final at Wembley – it’s huge,” he smiled. “There won’t be many chances to get to be the first to do something in my career.
“My refereeing journey started back in 2020, when I did the junior takeover event at Hull FC. I was there as a junior referee, and shadowed Gareth Hewer for the day.
“That was sort of the spark that said, ‘Actually, I might give it a go.’ I then refereed my first game on June 27, 2021, at West Hull.
“I found out around April time that I’d been included in the match officials squad for Wembley this year, and it was Monday just gone I was told I was refereeing the game.
“Ben Thaler has given me a good push this year. He’s taken over the management of the grade threes, which I’m a part of. He’s pushed me hard this year.
“I’ve got quite a good relationship with Ben, learning from him. His main tip for this Saturday is, just do what I do normally!”
George is a member of the Hull Rugby League Referees Society, who will also be represented by Martin Hawkes and Richard Thompson this year at Wembley.
His mother, Vicky, said: “I’m very proud. His confidence on the field is just amazing. If you speak to any of the parents from the team he was with, they couldn’t believe he was going to go in the middle. Now, they always want him in the middle!
“I was bouncing about at work when he found out. It’s taken a lot of grit and determination to get there, it’s not just turning up – it’s putting in the commitment on and off the field.”
George will be supported by two 18-year-old touch judges from West Yorkshire – Simeon Quarmby from the Huddersfield Refereeing Society, and Liam Grundy from the Dewsbury and Batley society.
Two highly promising female officials have been appointed as in-goal judges – 16-year-old Sophie Lumb from Huddersfield, and 18-year-old Rebecca Floyd from St Helens – with Aiden Beeley, a 16-year-old from Wigan, the reserve referee.
The match will be streamed live on the RFL YouTube channel from 10am. For more information on Hull Rugby League Referees Society, head to http://www.hullrlrefs.com/.