Meet Rugby League Referees Mark Austin & Lewis Collins - Ep 6We had a great recording session with Lewis & Mark. Very insightful chat about community-level refereeing, how to manage a game and more ?? ABOUT LEWIS COLLINSOriginally born in Cornwall, Lewis discovered the game through his Halifax-born dad and progressed through Rugby Union as a player and referee before switching codes as COVID hit. Lewis now referees in the Midlands and is also an assistant coach at the Shrewsbury Lions Junior RL club.? ABOUT MARK AUSTINInitially born in Widnes, Mark discovered Rugby League at school, instantly became a Widnes fan, and has held a season ticket for over 30 years. Mark became a referee as his playing days grew to a close and wanted to extend his journey through the sport and play his part in ensuring the game survived here in the Midlands.We covered so much; hearing a referee’s take on things was great. Check it out..The latest RL Outsiders episode ... Is Live Now..WE ASKED:✅ What inspired you to become a rugby league referee, and how did you start?✅ What qualities are necessary to be a thriving rugby league referee, and how do you cultivate those skills?✅ Can you describe a particularly challenging or memorable match that you officiated and how you handled the pressure and intensity of the game?✅ How do you prepare for a match as a referee, both mentally and physically, and what rituals or routines do you have to help you focus?✅ How do you manage conflict or difficult situations on the pitch, and what strategies do you use to defuse tensions and keep the game flowing?✅ What advice would you give to aspiring rugby league referees, and how can they best prepare themselves for the challenges of the job?It's a belter ? Listen & Share ? https://youtu.be/GK4nlLWtFgw? ABOUT THE RUGBY LEAGUE OUTSIDERS PODCASTWelcome to Rugby League Outsiders, where two passionate fans and former players, Karl Walker and Craig Williams, bring their love for the game to the Midlands. After relocating to the area, they were disappointed that rugby league wasn't as prevalent as in their former homes.However, instead of accepting defeat, Karl and Craig saw this as an opportunity to promote the sport and make it more accessible for others in the Midlands. They started the Rugby League Outsiders podcast to shed light on the hidden gems of rugby league in the region and to give a voice to those who may have been overlooked.Tune in weekly as Karl and Craig share their insights and experiences, interview players and coaches, and delve into rugby league. From local clubs to the latest news, they've got you covered.Like and share this video and help spread the word about this fantastic sport in the Midlands.LINKS:? FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/rugbyleagueoutsiders? TWITTER - https://twitter.com/rloutsiders? INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/rugbyleagueoutsiders? TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@rugbyleagueoutsiders? WEBSITE - https://rugbyleagueoutsiders.comMeet Rugby League Referees Mark Austin & Lewis Collins - Ep 6SPONSOR: This episode was sponsored by Pot Leadle - Digitial Marketing & SEO Specialists in Cheshire