Four Northern NSW Football referees represented the region at the Football Australia National Youth Championships tournaments in July.
Lucy Hungerford and Rory Hersee were selected for the NYC Girls tournament at the home of the Matildas in Melbourne, while Sam Stewart and Josh Attard were selected for the NYC Boys tournament in Wollongong.
NYC tournaments not only provide players with an opportunity to develop and be recognised but also match officials.
The championships are a key part of the referee development pathway with all match officials assessed by experienced FA referee instructors.
Referees selected to officiate in the tournaments were provided team and individual coaching and coaching sessions with all referees that analyze performances to identify strengths and areas to improve on.
All four of NNSWF’s match officials were successful at the two tournaments, with two of our referees taking part in grand final matches.
Hungerford officiated as an assistant referee in the NYC Girls under-15s grand final while Stewart officiated as an assistant referee in the NYC Boys under-15s grand final.
Attard refereed one of the NYC Boys under-16s semi-final matches, while Hersee took part in one of the NYC Girls under-15s semi-finals.
NNSWF General Manager Referee Growth and Development Brad Carlin was delighted with the success of NNSWF’s referees at the tournaments.
“The National Youth Championships provide opportunities for match officials to develop and grow their skills amongst the best young referees from across Australia,” Carlin said.
“I am extremely proud of the achievements of Lucy, Rory, Sam and Josh at the National Youth Championship tournaments.
“Each of our referees demonstrated through their performances that they are committed to becoming elite match officials.
“I received feedback from Football Australia referee coaches who were present at the tournaments that said that all of our referees officiated really well, were keen contributors during the coaching sessions and represented NNSWF with pride.”
Stewart said the experience was instrumental in his referee development.
“It was a really good tournament. I had a few centres and then was on the lines for some other matches,” Stewart said.
“We have some amazing coaches that were teaching us throughout the tournament with some of the coaches FIFA referees. Our coaching sessions were amazing every afternoon and I learnt so much.
“The experience was fantastic.”
