Matt Cecchin
Matt Cecchin is an Australian former rugby league referee in the National Rugby League (NRL), from 2001 to 2021. Cecchin has officiated international matches at the 2011 Four Nations and 2017 World Cup, and domestic representative matches in all three games of the 2017 State of Origin series. Referee career. Cecchin began his career by overseeing Metro Cup matches. He made his first grade debut when he took over from an injured Steve Clark at halftime of a New Zealand Warriors and Northern Eagles match on 1 June 2001. His first full first grade match was on 14  July 2001, when he officiated a match between the Wests Tigers and North Queensland. He controlled 22 matches between 2001 and 2004. In 2003, he was told the only way he would remain an official was to become a touch judge. Cecchin returned to first grade in 2008 and has been in charge of finals matches since 2009. He controlled the 2011 NRL Grand Final alongside Tony Archer. Cecchin was appointed to control the 2010 City vs Country Origin match and refereed in the 2011 Four Nations. He controlled one match during the 2012 State of Origin series. He was  awarded his second Grand Final appointed 2016 NRL Grand Final as lead referee along with assistant Ben Cummins. He was appointed lead referee for Game I of the 2017 State of Origin series. In February 2018, Cecchin refereed one Super League match when Wigan Warriors took their home game against Hull F.C. to WIN Stadium in Wollongong, Australia. Personal life. Cecchin's father played reserve grade for the Newtown Jets. In 2012, Cecchin revealed he was gay, becoming the first NRL official or player since Ian Roberts in 1995 to do so. Cecchin has revealed having panic attacks before a  match. He is a mental health ambassador for rugby league.