Ex Super League referee Phil Bentham linked wit a return t Rugby League

[josie andrews]

FORMER Super League referee Phil Bentham is being linked with a return to rugby league.

Bentham, who is currently a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Coach for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in the football industry, has applied to become the Head of Match Officials at the RFL, League Express understands.

Of course, there is a vacancy at the top of the organisation following Steve Ganson’s exit from the position which was confirmed at the start of this calendar year.

Bentham has a rich history with rugby league, having officiated seven major finals during his career, including the 2011 and 2014 Super League Grand Finals, as well as four Challenge Cup finals and the 2014 Four Nations Final in New Zealand.

He was forced to hang up his whistle in 2018 following a collision with Widnes forward Chris Houston which resulted in him suffering a slipped disc in his neck.

Bentham then took up the role of match officials coach before combining that with the head of match officials role whilst Ganson was on leave back in 2021.

The former referee resigned from both positions in March 2021, but he has throw his hat into the ring to return to the sport.

https://www.totalrl.com/ex-super-league ... by-league/

[josie andrews]

Former Super League referee Phil Bentham replaces Steve Ganson as RFL head of match officials

Former referee Phil Bentham has been appointed as the RFL’s new head of match officials after a spell in football.

Bentham refereed in Super League for 14 seasons from 2005 to 2018 before becoming a match officials coach.

The 52-year-old went on to work at the top level of football with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) but is back in rugby league after replacing Steve Ganson at the RFL.

"It's a great time to be returning to rugby league as the sport moves into a really exciting period.

We will be committed, as a team, to raising officiating standards at all levels, from the community game to the men’s and women’s Super Leagues, whilst being open and transparent to allow a better understanding of officiating.

"I'd like to place on record my thanks to PGMOL for the opportunity to work and learn in elite-level football and look forward to sharing ideas with them in the future.”

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... ls-4519281