Michael Howell is an Australian former rugby league referee and senior administration officer.
Howell played rugby league prior to becoming a referee. In 1973, he was a member of the Newtown Jets teams that won the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) club championship. [1]
Howell began his refereeing career in the Newtown District Junior Rugby League. He was subsequently graded in 1981 to referee in the NSWRL. [2] He went on to become a very successful touch judge, officiating in 242 top-grade matches. [3] His most notable appointments included the Grand Finals in 1988 and 1991, the 1989 and 1996 State of Origin series, and an Australia-France test match in 1990. [4] He retired as a referee and touch judge at the end of the 1999 season. [5]
Howell lodged an application with the Chief Industrial Magistrate's Court in 2005 as a test case, seeking long service leave from the NSWRL for his 18 years of service. [6] His application was dismissed as the Court found that he had been employed over four separate periods of time, none of which were eligible for long service leave. [7]
Away from football, Howell was an officer in the New South Wales public sector. From 1990 to 2008 he was the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of NSW Lotteries. [8] [9]
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