Rebels Weightlifting Club Celebrates State-Level Referee Qualification

The achievement was confirmed on 10 August 2025 at the Cougars Weightlifting Club, where both Bonney and Laura demonstrated their knowledge, skill, and commitment to the sport—this time, not as athletes on the platform, but as the vital officials who keep competition running smoothly and fairly.

Club founder and members alike are thrilled. As a young club, Rebels is already showing that weightlifting is not just about lifting big—it’s also about lifting the community. Bonney and Laura’s accomplishment highlights the valuable role of volunteers in the sport, and how giving back can be just as rewarding as competing.

Why Refereeing Matters

In Olympic weightlifting, referees are the guardians of the rules, ensuring fairness, safety, and integrity at every competition. Without them, events simply can’t happen. Becoming a qualified referee is a way to deepen your involvement in the sport, learn its finer details, and contribute to its future.

A Call to the Weightlifting Community

If you’ve ever sat in the audience and wondered how you could get more involved, refereeing might be your pathway. You don’t need to be a competitive lifter to become an official—just a love for the sport, a willingness to learn, and a desire to help others succeed. Volunteering in weightlifting, whether as a referee, technical official, loader, or event organiser, is a purposeful and meaningful way to be part of something bigger than yourself.

From the Rebels Weightlifting Club, a big congratulations to Bonney and Laura for showing that leadership in sport comes in many forms. Their achievement is not only a win for our club but also a boost for the entire Queensland weightlifting community.

Would you like more information on how to volunteer? Please visit the QWA website to find out more www.qwa.org/volunteer