There's always history making events or milestones reached at the NTL, and 2005 is no different.

The referees are always one group who tend to go unnoticed when they achieve something and this year is no different.

Gary and Sam Mournehis are father and son (as their last name suggests) and at 1:30pm today they will run out onto the field together to referee the Womens 20's grand final.

The father-son combination refereeing a grand final is something never seen in NTL history and Gary is quietly proud of not just his own achievements but also his sons.

"Of course it's fantastic to be given a grand final but it's even more special when you're given that honour with your son alongside you, I'm very proud of him," Gary said.

The honour of refereeing a grand final puts both Gary and Sam among the top 15 referees in the nation and at this tournament and is a just reward for all of the hard work referees put into their job.

For Sam, the day was made even more special, being awarded his level 6 upgrade, the highest a referee can achieve, as well.

It was about eight years ago that his dad gave him a call, told him to get down to the park because he was running a level one refereeing course.

Now they're both two of our top referees and `Felix the Cat' (Sam) is chasing `the Mouse' (his dad.)

"They call me Felix because I'm chasing after my dad," laughed Sam.

"I'm yet to cacth him, but it's certainly an aim."

But his dad isn't about to let that happen.

"I'm tough on Sam as a referee, but only when he needs it and he's not about to catch up to me yet, in fact I'll probably retire before he even gets close," Gary said.

"I'll be nervous for sure when we start because it's my first NTL grand final, but it is sort of comforting to be going out there with dad," Sam said.

So when the Mournehis' run out onto the field today at 1:30pm for the Womens 20's grand final, it will be a double honour for the pair, to referee a final and to referee together.


By Rachel Moyle, media@austouch.com.au