Jarrod Cole will make his National Rugby League debut as a referee this weekend when he officiates the Round 24 match between the North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights.
As a highly-regarded member of the QRL’s High Performance Unit, Cole’s appointment has been met with excitement and admiration by those who have supported his journey.
State match officials manager Clayton Sharpe praised Cole’s resilience and dedication.
“There is a lot to admire about Jarrod and the way he goes about his work, both on and off the field,” Sharpe said.
“By continually meeting high standards, he’s become the best match official he can be over a long period of time.”
Cole’s NRL appointment is also a testament to the evolution of the High Performance Unit and the opportunities available for referees, players, coaches and administrators within the QRL statewide competitions pathway.
Having refereed two of the past three Hostplus Cup grand finals, the Queensland-based match official is thriving on the field, with his home life and work as a physiotherapist providing a content Cole with the perfect balance.
Cole makes his NRL debut at the top of his game, having now refereed 166 Hostplus Cup matches since making his Cup debut in 2014.
The 31-year-old has also been an assistant Cup referee in 18 matches and has done 63 lines as a touch judge.
Cole drew high praise for his outstanding performance in the 2024 grand final between the Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins.
That performance came as no surprise to QRL officiating high performance manager Andrew Wareham, who described Cole as “your ultimate professional” in the lead up to last year’s decider.
“He’s a giant sponge, he absorbs information, he leads from the front,” Wareham said.
“He’s a natural born leader, people flock to him through his actions and his words … how he prepares, mentally and physically, for a game is a cornerstone to our group and testament to himself.”
Jarrod Cole
Career highlights
2016 – Hostplus Cup Grand Final Assistant Referee
2018 – Hostplus Cup Grand Final Touch Judge
2019 – Hostplus Cup Grand Final Touch Judge
2022 – Hostplus Cup Grand Final Referee
2024 – Hostplus Cup Grand Final Referee
2025 – Debut NRL Referee