Grant Atkins

I am currently a full time employee of the National Rugby League, joining the full time referees squad at the completion of the 2012 season. I have been a member of the part time referees squad since November 2008. I have completed a Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) with a major in Media Production and Advertising and a sub-major in Social Psychology and Social Research at UWS. Following this degree, I completed a Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) at UWS and in 2016 I was awarded a Master of Communications through Griffith University. I am currently undertaking study at ACU, completing a Postgraduate Certificate in High Performance Sport - Leadership. Upon the completion of University, I undertook employment in the HSIE department of McCarthy Catholic College, Emu Plains (2004-2010). During this time I was employed at a Year Adviser (2005-2009, Years 10 and 11). As part of my teaching, I undertook further study with a Certificate II in Business and a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. This enabled me to deliver Vocational Education and Training within a school setting. In 2011, I gained employment in the Transition Team at Catholic Education, Parramatta. The role was that of a Transition Liaison Officer, which involved working on behalf of Catholic Education, Parramatta with 8 high schools within the Parramatta Diocese. The core areas of responsibility included; transitioning students with a disability from a school setting into the community, establishing links with employers and disability employment services, training organisations such as TAFE NSW, registered and group training organisations and Transition to Work and Community Participation contractors. During this time, I was involved in Individual Planning for students, training of students with a disability in short vocational courses and the running of Fast Track, an established program for students seeking employment. My time with the NRL has seen me officiate over 200 games as a referee and over 100 as a side line official. I have also officiated in 16 Test Matches including the 2013 Rugby League World Cup Final. 2021 saw me officiate in my first NRL Grand Final as the Senior Review Official in the NRL Bunker.