Veteran referee of 15 years and now secretary of the Castlereagh Rugby League, Bryson Luff says the shortage of match officials in the sport is at crisis point.

‘’Work overload and abuse of referees by fans and even players is turning potential match officials off joining the ranks and those who are working games are exhausted," Mr Luff said.

''Referees are over the abuse and things have to change - we are at crisis point.''

The same situation is happening in the Peter McDonald Premiership, the central west competition where the Nyngan Tigers play.

Chairman Narromine’s Bob Walsh said the elite competition had a chronic shortage of match officials.

‘’We’re short 6 referees and 12 touch judges and our match officials are forced to work 2 matches a day.’’

Reserve Grade games had been called off for this weekend but furious work by the sports administration late Wednesday July 16 may have the matches reinstated but the future of the lead up matches to first grade hang in the balance.

"This a problem which is not going away,'' Mr Walsh said.

Bryson Luff says the job nobody really wants has come about as a result of bad fan behaviour from the sidelines.

‘’The situation is critical, dire and has got worse over the years indeed it’s a major problem, some referees have to adjudicate at 2 venues so we are asking fans and players to respect officials.’’

He says there is speculation of a ‘walk out’ from referees.

‘’Not a strike but a mental health day off - they are tired of the pressure and continual abuse.’’

Announcements are being made on the public address system at matches asking for fans to respect referees and match officials especially over puerile and foul language aimed directly at the men and women officiating.

A recent judiciary hearing in the Castlereagh League forced an apology from a player who had sprayed insults at a referee.