Northern NSW Football is pleased to announce the Newcastle Permanent Community Referee of the Year for 2021 across its zones.
“Match officials have arguably the hardest job in sport,” NNSWF Community Football Manager Ross Hicks said.
“Anthony, Sean, Sam, Les, Jackson, Isla and Sam have shown that they take the match official role seriously and their dedication, passion and commitment contribute considerably to the positive football experience enjoyed by the players and spectators of matches they officiate.”
Newcastle Permanent Chief Customer Experience and Delivery Officer Paul Juergens echoed Hicks’ sentiment and applauded the volunteers who received the award.
“Our community football referees take on an important role of keeping players’ safe and creating a great experience for players and spectators each and every week,” Juergens said.
“Newcastle Permanent would like to congratulate Anthony, Sean, Sam, Les, Jackson, Isla and Sam for their generosity and valued contribution to the game.”
The 2021 Newcastle Permanent Community Referee of the Year Award recipients from across each of NNSWF’s seven member zones are:
Football Far North Coast
Anthony Smith
Anthony officiates matches for Football Far North Coast and has shown true dedication and passion for the game giving players, coaches and spectators the best experience possible.
North Coast Football
Sean McFarlane
A young referee, Sean has been refereeing in the Clarence and assisting with NPL for the last couple of seasons, developing into a capable referee that enjoys this aspect of football.
Football Mid North Coast
Sam Stewart
Sam started the year officiating senior games and was assessed with an on field test for his Level 3 referees’ classification, which he passed. During the season Sam was appointed to reserve grade Coastal Premier League centres on a few occasions and was assistant referee for the CPL first grade matches.
Throughout the season Sam officiated at WPL/NPL, local junior and all-age matches amassing 36 centres and 30 assistant referee appointments.
Sam has been nominated for the NNSW Referee Academy and is always asking questions to senior referees and referee assessors on how he can improve his refereeing. He is a young man that wants to go places as a referee.
Northern Inland Football
Les Withers
Les works tirelessly to arrange match officials in the region and help mentor the group in addition to refereeing himself where needed.
Anyone who knows Les knows he does not like too much fanfare but without him games would not happen in the Northern Inland region as the referees would not survive without him.
Hunter Valley Football
Jackson Stuart
Hunter Valley Football representatives applauded Jackson for his overall officiating performance and dedication to promoting fair play and good sportsmanship.
He is a positive role model for younger referees and is always willing to learn and improve from his mentors as a match official. Passionate about the game as a player and a referee, Hunter Valley Football look forward to welcoming Jackson back to the field next season.
Newcastle Football
Isla Beck
Isla runs lines on Friday nights and referees when her playing duties allow. In her second year as a Newcastle Football Referee, Isla has shown a positive attitude to learn. She has improved greatly and communicates well with all referees she works with.
She is very keen to learn, goes to training, asks questions and listens to the coaches, assessors and her fellow referees. Isla is always at her appointments on time and ready to go. Her uniform is neat and tidy, she looks the part as a confident young referee ready to do her job.
Macquarie Football
Sam Donald
Sam is an up-and-coming referee who has shown great leadership for someone of such a young age.
He sets a great example to other young referees and his efforts on the park deserve recognition.
Macquarie Football representatives thanked Sam and said they felt he was set up to have another great season next year.
