Northern NSW Football match officials Isabella Walshe, Lucy Hungerford and Tess Brumfield, along with FIFA referee Casey Reibelt, have continued to reach new heights as they develop and progress in their refereeing careers.
Walshe and Brumfield were selected for the Emerging Matildas Championships at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne last month, with Brumfield returning for her second campaign and Walshe making her debut.
Walshe shone throughout her first major tournament, earning appointment to the under-15s championship match and being named under-15s Referee of the Tournament.
Her performance showcased her passion and desire to grow as a referee, with Walshe saying it was an experience she would remember for the rest of her career.
“It was a really good experience to be with all the girls and be supported by everyone. No matter what you did or what you were doing you always had someone to back you up,” Walshe said.
“Plus having all the female representation at the Emerging Matildas was a really good reminder that I can do it.
“The amount of support the girls have for each other and the female coaches have for you, it's miles better than anywhere else.
“You don't get that much representation or support anywhere, especially in such a close environment. It's something really unique.”
Walshe was the first NNSWF match official to be named Referee of the Tournament, a title she will carry with pride.
“It was an honour being the first referee from Northern NSW Football named as the Referee of the Tournament,” Walshe said.
“I was nervous going to the tournament and it was such a different experience but overall I'm proud of how I went.”
Brumfield returned to the tournament with renewed confidence, officiating a number of key matches throughout the week, including as an assistant referee in the under-16s semi-final and third place play-off.
Her performances highlighted her development over the last year and point to continued growth in her journey as a match official.
Their development forms part of a broader pathway supported by experienced officials such as FIFA match official and Australia’s first full-time female referee Casey Reibelt, who continues to mentor young referees as NNSWF High Performance Referee Coach.
Reibelt has played a key role in guiding match officials like Walshe and Brumfield to help them elevate their skills and perform at national tournaments such as the Emerging Matildas Championships.
Hungerford began refereeing in mid-2019 at the age of 12 and, now 20 years old, is in her eighth year as a match official.
In that time she has represented NNSWF on the national stage on three occasions, officiating at the Emerging Matildas and Emerging Socceroos Championships.
Since then Hungerford has been appointed to matches in the Hahn Australia Cup national round of 32, round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final stages and made her Ninja A-League debut as an assistant referee in October 2025.
She later reached another milestone, becoming the 100th assistant referee to debut in the Isuzu UTE A-League, following her appointment to the F3 Derby in April 2026.
Hungerford will also officiate as an assistant referee in the Ninja A-League grand final between Melbourne City and Wellington FC on Saturday.
“I didn’t expect to be selected for the A-League Women’s panel, so hearing they had a place for me this season was really rewarding,” Hungerford said.
“After nationals last year, it felt like everything had fallen into place exactly how I’d hoped.
“On a personal level, it was a huge milestone. When I first started refereeing, reaching this level wasn’t even something I considered. But as I became more involved, it turned into the goal I was striving for. Looking back now, it really shows how far I’ve come.
“While making the panel was a major goal, it has also opened the door to many other opportunities through refereeing. Since then I’ve achieved another milestone by becoming the 100th assistant referee to make an Isuzu UTE A-League debut but I still have plenty more goals I want to achieve in the game.”
Walshe and Hungerford strongly encourage other women and girls to become match officials, highlighting the opportunity to see the game from a different perspective.
Walshe said she hoped to inspire the next generation of female referees through her own journey.
“I want to do the best I can and try to get as far as I can and then give back to the community and back to the younger girls to show them if I can do it so can they,” Walshe said.
“Upcoming female referees should believe in themselves and believe in their ability and know that no matter what anyone says on the park, it comes down to what you do and how you do it.
“They should become a referee because it's fun and even if you don't get into it by playing it's a different perspective of the game.”
Hungerford reflected on what refereeing had given her so far in her career, encouraging others to stick with it through the challenges.
“What I love most about refereeing is the challenge and the sense of growth that comes with every match,” she said.
“No two games are ever the same and you’re constantly learning, improving and being part of the game you love.
“It’s also given me opportunities, friendships and experiences I never would have imagined when I first picked up the whistle.
“Never underestimate the impact you can have as a referee. Confidence comes with experience, so keep showing up, keep learning and trust the work you put in.
“There will be tough moments but if you stay passionate and determined, refereeing can open doors you never imagined possible.”