SOM Talks Referees | Ep#3 Chris Kendall

One of rugby league’s top match officials Chris Kendall believes sport has an unhealthy obsession with referees that is negatively impacting refs, recruitment and the game as a whole.
In the third episode of an exclusive podcast series from the mental fitness charity State of Mind Sport, Kendall opens up on how he copes with the social media abuse directed his way as one of the most maligned referees in the British game. He discusses the controversy of the 2024 Challenge Cup Final in which he sin-binned two players in the opening minutes of the game in front of 65,000 fans at Wembley, and describes how a strong family unit is the backbone to his success in an unforgiving career.
The 32-year old is one of the most recognisable referees in rugby league, regularly being trusted to oversee Grand Finals, Challenge Cup Finals and internationals, having once been a promising player himself in the Huddersfield academy.
Kendall seems to attract criticism wherever he goes - regardless of how well he performs, and reveals how a public perception of him is at complete odds with his true character.
“There is a popular misconception that referees like to be the showpiece event and make it all about them," he says.
"I might cop that a little bit more than others. 'The Chris Kendall Show'. That couldn’t be any further from the truth.