Veteran rugby league referee Henry Perenara has been forced to retire due to medical reasons.
Perenara has been diagnosed with exercise-induced supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and was forced to hang up the whistle on the advice of medical professionals.
A former player, Perenara debuted with the Warriors in 2000, playing three matches for the Auckland side.
He moved to the Storm a year later, playing 33 games over two seasons before two-year stints at the Dragons and Eels.
He ended his playing career with the Sharks in 2007, retiring after 72 NRL matches.
He moved into the refereeing ranks courtesy of a program designed for ex-players, taking control of his first match between the Roosters and Raiders in 2011.
In a nine-year refereeing career, he took control of 204 first grade matches and controlled Four Nations, World Cup and NRLW matches as well.
“Henry’s contribution to rugby league as a player and match official is simply remarkable,” Professional Rugby League Match Officials (PRLMO) Chairman Silvio Del Vecchio said in a statement.
“To perform at this level on the game’s biggest stage for over 20-years deserves our absolute respect and admiration.”
Despite his retirement from on field duties, Henry will continue with the NRL Match Officials Department, working as a review official in the Bunker and performing a number of coaching functions with both top tier and up and coming match officials.
“The health and well-being of match officials has always been our top priority,” Del Vecchio added.
“I want to sincerely thank Jared Maxwell and the NRL for their continued support of Henry.”
