FOR Junee resident Max Biles, it's a love of the game which has kept him involved through a life-time of rugby league.
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The junior Diesels have been Bile's passion for the past 30 years.
An experienced Group Nine referee, he's worked on the sideline as a touch judge and junior representative more times than he can count and controlled more than 420 senior games over 23 years.
During Junee's junior rugby league club presentation night, he was awarded life membership for his dedicated support.
His connection with Junee dates back to 1976 when he played in the under 15s at the Riverina Schoolboys Carnival .
He picked up a referee's whistle when he was just 14.
Biles made Junee his home in 1981.
One of his goals has been to get young people into refereeing and seeing Hayley Hackett named referee of the year was a proud moment for him as her mentor.
"She's done a fantastic job."
"Without referees, there's no game.
"It's all about the kids, over the last two years they've been coming out of the woodwork, which is great to see," Biles said.
As a former president of the junior club, he said parents and children's involvement was crucial.
"Getting involved with the club and the sport makes the game better for the children and the parents," he said.
"It helps keep the sport going, but it also makes lighter work with more people involved.
"(President) Gavin Lamb is doing an excellent job because he has excellent help behind him - without that, there is no club."
This year is Biles' final year in junior rugby but he won't be putting his whistle down just yet, with one more goal to reach.
"I'm 17 games short of 100 first grade 'centres'," he said.
"That's something I want to achieve."