Six leading referees have been made full-time officials under a new Rugby Football League scheme.
Richard Silverwood, Ben Thaler, Ashley Klein, Ian Smith, Phil Bentham and Steve Ganson are funded by the Super League clubs and commercial sponsors.
"The full-time environment allows our referees to make significant fitness gains," said the RFL's match officials director Stuart Cummings.
"And it enhances their ability as officials."
The six referees are already two months into their newly created pre-season training and preparation schedule.
Their posts were created in 2006 as an element of the Super League Strategy, which sets out a vision for the future of the sport's elite competition.
"Once the season is under way they will have the opportunity to prepare fully for matches and analyse their own performances in detail," added Cummings.
"The overall effect will be to contribute to improving the quality and on-field standards of both Super League and the sport at all levels".
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