Rugby League
Oldham official Robert Hicks has been selected to referee the 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Former Hulme School pupil Hicks, who took charge of the semi-final between Catalans Dragons and St Helens, has officiated at all levels of the game over the past eight years, including Betfred Super League, Championship and League 1 games.
In 2016, he officiated the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors.
He also has a wealth of international experience, taking charge of a Australia v France in the group stage games of the RL World Cup 2017 and officiating as touch judge for a number of other games including the semi-final between Tonga and England in Auckland, New Zealand.
Assisting him on the day will be touch judges Richard Thompson and Liam Moore, while Ben Thaler will be the video referee.
Chris Kendall has been appointed as Reserve Referee and Reserve Touch Judge will be Marcus Griffiths.
Steve Ganson, Head of Match Officials, said: “Robert has delivered consistently high level performances throughout 2018.
"This appointment is a recognition of those efforts.
"I am also very pleased to appoint what we consider to be a very strong and experienced match officials team.”
