Ian Hooper, affectionately known as Hoops in Far North Coast Rugby Union, has sadly died after suffering a massive heart attack as he filled in as referee in the Reserve Grade match at Lennox Head yesterday afternoon.

Mr Hooper, who lived at Georgica with his wife Julie and sons Tom and Max, about 35 minutes drive west of Lismore, collapsed early in the first half of the match against Ballina.

The 60-year-old Mr Hooper was revived on the field by an off-duty NSW Ambulance officer,before being taken to Ballina Hospital where he later died.The Reserve Grade match was abandoned as was the First Grade match that was to follow.

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Mr Hooper was Far North Coast Rugby Referees Association's Chairman of Coaching and Grading, Referee Appointments Officer, Referee, and Referee Coach for the Far North Coast Rugby Union Zone and NSW CRRA who helped mentor and develop Junior and Senior Referees over many years. He was also a past President and a Lifetime Member.

Far North Coast Rugby Referees Association President Allan Thomas told the Lismore App that Mr Hooper stepped in to referee the Reserve Game match at late notice after the scheduled referee was unable make it.

"The incident occurred very early into the first half where Hoops suffered a significant heart attack, they tried to resuscitate him, which they did," he said.

"That just goes to show his devotion to the game, which was his passion and something he loved doing."

Mr Hooper was a former NSW Police officer for more than 20 years before he moved to Georgica and joined the FNCRRA.

Mr Thomas said that Mr Hooper retired from refereeing last year.

"He wanted to focus on the development and mentoring of junior and senior referees on the Far North Coast," Mr Thomas said.

"Hooper has made an instrumental and massive contribution to the Far North Coast Referees Association and has left a big hole in our association.

"He was a very-respected referee among all the association members and a well-liked person in the rugby fraternity on the Far North Coast. He was a very happy fellow - he was always good for a glass of red wine and a joke - and got on well with all his peers. He touched people's lives and he will be sadly missed.

"He used to play rugby union for Springwood in the Blue Mountains and I was told he was a very cheeky halfback. He was charismatic.

"He will be sorely missed as a friend, mentor, a coach, a referee and a devoted father and husband.

"We would like the community to acknowledge the feats this person has made to the community at large."

Will Palmer, a fellow member of the FNCRRA, said Mr Hooper was an integral part of the Byron 7's Carnival for years and co-ordinated the appointment of Referees from across Australia and overseas.

"Without which the event couldn't happen," Mr Palmer said.

"Hoops was a true gentleman of the game and dedicated much of his lie to rugby union and the development of rugby referees across Australia.

"He forged many friendships with members from other associations such as the QRRA (Brisbane), Wairarapa Bush (NZ), South Canterbury (NZ) and many others in Australia and overseas."

Southern Cross University Rugby Club extended their condolences to the family of Ian Hooper.

"'Hoops' was an integral member of the Far North Coast Referees Association and made a tremendous contribution to rugby in our zone over almost two decades," SCRRU said in a post on its Facebook page.

"Our club wish to give our best to Ian's wife Julie and sons Max and Tom at this time."

Lismore Rugby Club said: "Condolences to his family, friends and ur rugby community. Very sad news, he will be missed by all. R.I.P. Hoops."

Ian Hooper was also heavily involved with Lismore Workers Swim Team. Photo: Lismore Workers Swim Team

Lismore Workers Swim Team said it was saddened to hear that Mr Hooper, a former club member, had died.

"Ian was a great Club man, contributing at Club meetings, serving as Vice President for a number of years and representing LWST in negotiations with LCC (Lismore City Council)," LWST said on its Facebook page.

"Ian was always keen to officiate at Carnivals with his wife Julie while his sons Tom and Max went round in the pool.

"He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family."

Swimming North Coast said this morning: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Ian's family at this sad time. Ian became a technical official in 2010 as a member of Lismore Workers Swim Team, with his first credentials being timekeeper and chief timekeeper. In 2012 he came a starter and he worked at numerous carnivals in the Lismore area in this capacity for a number of years."