ALL Group 10 rugby league games this weekend will have referees after a dispute between the game's management and the referees association was resolved on Thursday night.
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Last year's premier league grand final referee Jason Whitney was approached by a leading Group 10 official after the Cowra Magpies' loss against Bathurst Panthers at Sid Kallas Oval last weekend, the discussion between the two heated enough for Whitney to make himself unavailable for the next two weeks.
A source close to the Group 10 referees association contacted the Central Western Daily on Tuesday and revealed strike action had been considered by the group, but a statement issued by the Country Rugby League said after a meeting at the Bathurst Panthers Leagues Club between the two parties the problem has been resolved.
"A dispute regarding a code of conduct breach following the Cowra Magpies premier league loss to Bathurst Panthers last Sunday was resolved by Group 10 Rugby League management," the statement reads.
"Group 10 management and a representative from the Group 10 referees association met at Bathurst leagues club (on Thursday) night and are satisfied the matter is now resolved.
"The Group 10 referees association will not be striking and were never threatening such action this weekend.
"At the request of the complainant, no further details relating to this matter will be released to the media."
Group 10 president Linore Zamparini declined to comment further on the matter, but did say the game's referees were of the utmost importance to rugby league moving forward in the area.
"We just want to maintain a good relationship with our referees," Zamparini said.
"We know we can't work without them and hope, they know, we're here for them as well."