Football NSW confirmed 2025 Referee Academy Selections

Avatar
Image credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has revealed the 13 referees selected for the 2025 Referee Academy after a comprehensive eight-week trial process.

Over 100 referees from across New South Wales competed for these coveted spots, undergoing a series of evaluations to demonstrate their skills and potential.

The selection process included Laws of the Game quizzes, fitness and agility tests, and live match assessments. This rigorous process ensures that only the most promising candidates are chosen to join the academy, which focuses on preparing referees for high-level officiating roles.

The Football NSW Referee Academy aims to develop referees for state and national competitions, with the ultimate goal of having its members recognised by Football Australia as candidates for roles in the A-League Women’s and Men’s competitions.

Referees in the academy will benefit from:

  • Specialised speed and agility training
  • Tailored physical programs
  • Opportunities to officiate at tournaments
  • Match day coaching and targeted development
  • Mentorship from experienced NPL and A-Leagues referees
  • Access to national and international referee coaches

The academy boasts a history of producing referees who go on to officiate in prestigious competitions such as the Australia Cup, the A-Leagues, AFC tournaments, and even FIFA events.

2025 Referee Academy Members

  1. Alec Baele – Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association
  2. Chelsea Leung – Football South Coast Referees
  3. Grace Williams – Nepean Referees Group
  4. Hannah Stone – Nepean Referees Group
  5. Imran Kilani – Canterbury Referees Association
  6. Jayden Khong – Granville District Football Referees Association
  7. Josh Watkins – Blacktown City Soccer Referees Branch
  8. Lilian Hayes – Central Coast Football Referees
  9. Oliver Leanfore – Canterbury Referees Association
  10. Oliver Udovicic – Canterbury Referees Association
  11. Ruby Egan Brown – Football South Coast Referees
  12. Valentina Malagon Avila – Hills Football Referees
  13. Wael Arabi – Nepean Referees Group

A Stepping Stone for NSW and Australian Football

The Football NSW Referee Academy plays a pivotal role in developing skilled officials who are crucial to the game’s success at all levels.

By providing intensive training and mentorship, the academy not only ensures the quality of officiating within New South Wales but also contributes to the broader growth of football in Australia.

With its proven track record of producing referees who excel nationally and internationally, the academy underscores the importance of investing in referee development as part of a thriving football ecosystem.

This initiative is vital for maintaining the integrity of the game while inspiring the next generation of referees to pursue excellence.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Central Coast Mariners Women secure future under Holman Barnes Group

Avatar
Image Credits: Central Coast Mariners

The future of the Central Coast Mariners Women has been secured after the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) reached an agreement to become the new operator of the club’s A-League Women program. The deal ends uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the 2026/27 season.

The agreement between HBG, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) ensures the Mariners will remain in the Ninja A-League Women competition. It also introduces a new operating model designed to provide long-term stability.

The uncertainty emerged following TSG’s acquisition of the Central Coast Mariners’ men’s side and academy in June. The women’s program was excluded from the original takeover. TSG already owns English football side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and MLS club Los Angeles FC. The omission placed the future of the 2025 A-League Women champions in doubt. It also prompted the APL to seek a sustainable solution ahead of the new campaign.

A new operating model

Under the new arrangement, HBG will oversee all operational aspects of the women’s team. This includes the football program, staffing and day-to-day management. TSG will retain the club licence and continue overseeing the men’s program and academy. It will also support the women’s operation through its broader football network.

The agreement represents an innovative partnership between the three organisations. It has been designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of professional women’s football on the Central Coast. HBG’s plans extend beyond the senior team. They include a strong focus on developing participation pathways and creating greater opportunities for female footballers throughout New South Wales.

Attention turns to the new season

The transition comes at a crucial time with preparations for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season underway ahead of its October 16 start. The new operators are expected to begin managing the program immediately. This remains subject to the completion of the remaining regulatory processes. The team currently has no sponsors and games are expected to be moved away from Central Coast Stadium.

The A-League had previously set a July 31 deadline for new owners to be found to secure a place in the upcoming competition. With that now achieved, HBG will be on the clock to ensure the season begins without disruption and becomes a commercial success.

For the Central Coast Mariners Women, the agreement delivers certainty after a turbulent off-season. It also allows the club to shift its attention to the 2026/27 campaign and the team’s on-field performance.

South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph reignites promotion and relegation debate

Avatar
Image Credit: The Greek Herald

South Melbourne FC’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Adelaide United in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 has reignited debate around promotion and relegation in Australian football, with Co-President Bill Papastergiadis stating the result is further proof that ambitious National Premier Leagues clubs deserve a pathway to the top tier.

The Victorian powerhouse produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets at Lakeside Stadium, overturning an early deficit to eliminate the Isuzu UTE A-League side and secure a place in the Round of 16.

While the result was celebrated as another example of the magic of the Australia Cup, Papastergiadis believes the victory carries a much broader message about the strength that exists outside Australia’s professional league.

Speaking following the win, Papastergiadis said South Melbourne’s performance demonstrated why the Australian football landscape should move towards a connected pyramid featuring promotion and relegation.

“The result was South Melbourne FC’s revenge 22 years in the making,” Papastergiadis said.

“It also demonstrates that clubs in the National Premier Leagues have the quality, professionalism and ambition to compete with A-League opposition when given the opportunity.”

For years, South Melbourne has been one of the strongest advocates for structural reform within Australian football, consistently calling for an open pyramid that rewards sporting merit rather than maintaining a closed league system.

Papastergiadis argued that Australia Cup fixtures continue to showcase the depth of talent throughout the domestic game, with NPL clubs regularly proving they can challenge and defeat professional opponents despite operating with significantly fewer resources.

He believes these performances should not simply be viewed as isolated “cupsets”, but as evidence that Australia’s football ecosystem is ready to embrace a promotion and relegation model that provides ambitious clubs with a genuine pathway to the top flight.

The result against Adelaide United adds another significant chapter to South Melbourne’s storied history. One of Australia’s most successful clubs, South Melbourne has long maintained aspirations of returning to the national stage, backed by a passionate supporter base, strong infrastructure and a proud footballing tradition.

For Papastergiadis, victories such as Thursday night’s reinforce the argument that clubs should earn opportunities through performances on the pitch.

“The Australia Cup continues to show what’s possible when clubs from different levels of the football pyramid compete against one another,” he said.

“Our football should be built on opportunity and merit. Clubs that perform consistently and invest in their communities should have the chance to progress to the highest level.”

South Melbourne will now turn its attention to the Round of 16, where it will look to continue its impressive cup run.

Beyond the result itself, however, the victory has once again fuelled discussion around the future of Australia’s football structure and whether the growing strength of clubs outside the A-League should accelerate the push towards a fully connected national competition.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend