Gavin Badger
{{short description| Australian former rugby league referee|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Gavin Badger
|fullname =
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|country = Australia
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|birth_date = {{birth year and age|1972}}
|birth_place = Redfern, New South Wales, Australia
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| refereecomp1 = NRL
| refereeyear1start = 2003
| refereeyear1end = 20
| refereeappearances1 = 306
| refereecomp2 = City vs Country Origin
| refereeyear2start = 2009
| refereeyear2end = 14
| refereeappearances2 = 2
| refereecomp3 = Internationals
| refereeyear3start = 2006
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|source =[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/referees/gavin-badger.html Gavin Badger] rugbyleagueproject.org[https://www.nrl.com/operations/the-officials/match-officials/gavin-badger/] nrl.com
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Gavin Badger is an Australian rugby league referee in the National Rugby League. He controlled over 300 NRL matches.
Refereeing career
Badger grew up in Redfern, New South Wales and is the only NRL full-time referee with an indigenous background.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/oct/20/badger-referee-anniversary-bangkok|title=Happy anniversary Mrs Badger, we're refereeing an international today|first=Andy|last=Wilson|newspaper=The Observer |date=20 October 2012|publisher=|accessdate=2 August 2017|via=The Guardian}}
He made his NRL debut as a referee during a Brisbane vs South Sydney game at Suncorp Stadium in round 17 of 2004. In 2006 he controlled his first international match, a World Cup qualification match between Fiji and Tonga. Badger has also controlled City vs Country Origin matches in 2009 and 2014 and the 2010 and 2011 All Stars matches.
His wife, Kasey Badger, is also a rugby league referee.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2015-season-referee-couples-hidden-passion-roosters-resign-taukeiaho--nrl-confidential/news-story/34d74dafa8c33f87f015fcbc417fac7b|title=NRL 'power' couple shares hidden passion|date=16 April 2015|publisher=|accessdate=2 August 2017}} On 21 October 2012, the day of their second wedding anniversary, they jointly refereed an international match between Thailand and the Philippines.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/mr-and-mrs-referee-meet-their-match-20121008-279c6.html|title=Mr and Mrs Referee meet their match|first=Steve|last=Mascord|date=9 October 2012|publisher=|accessdate=2 August 2017|via=The Sydney Morning Herald}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/7787923/Husband-wife-duo-to-ref-league-international|title=Husband, wife duo to ref league international|website=Stuff|accessdate=2 August 2017}}
On 6 August 2017, Badger became the fifth referee to control 300 first grade matches in Australia, following Bill Harrigan, Col Pearce, Shayne Hayne and Steve Clark.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/gavin-badger-joins-300-club/tabid/10874/newsid/110620/default.aspx|title=Gavin Badger joins 300 club|date=2 August 2017 |publisher=|accessdate=2 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/badger-notches-up-300th-nrl-game/3207932/|title=Badger notches up 300th NRL game|publisher=|accessdate=2 August 2017}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Badger, Gavin}}
Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales
Category:National Rugby League referees
Category:Australian rugby league referees
Category:Rugby league players from Sydney
Category:Australian indigenous rights activists