New Chair for 2021 Powerchair Football World Cup announced

Liam Watson

One of Australia’s prominent former players has agreed to take the position of the Chair in the Local Organising Committee for the 2021 Powerchair Football World Cup held in Sydney during October.

With more than 320 appearances to his name in the former National Soccer League, Andy Harper has become the new chair and adds to a distinguished committee made up of FFA, Football NSW, Hyundai A-League club and Powerchair Football administrators and players.

Within the committee, both CEOs of the Sydney based clubs, John Tsatsimas and Danny Townsend,  are key members. There is also highly-respected local sports lawyer Stuart Corbishley supporting the committee after recently going to the 2018 Invictus Games.

The Powerchair Football World Cup will be held at the Quay Centre in October 2021 and will involve around 10 countries from around the world.

Harper’s appointment as Chair is something that is proud to be leading the way with.

“I’m thrilled to be involved with this inspirational group of people, he said.

“Powerchair football is great to watch, certainly, but the character, passion, determination and perseverance of the players and their support networks is really the most outstanding thing.

“As well as acknowledging and supporting this part of Australia’s football family, the 2021 Powerchair Football World Cup will importantly generate increased empathy for those football lovers amongst us who face acute and very specific challenges every day of their lives.”

The following names are all those who currently have a place on the committee:

  • Andy Harper (Committee Chair)
  • Peter Turnbull (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
  • Matt Cross (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
  • Michael Keyte (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
  • Martin Dalrymple (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
  • Jacob Cross (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
  • Chris Suffield (Australia Powerchair Football Association)
  • Stuart Corbishley (Corbishley Law)
  • John Tsatsimas (Western Sydney Wanderers)
  • Danny Townsend (Sydney FC)
  • Peter Hugg (Football NSW)
  • Charlotte Ercil (Football NSW)
  • Aaron Dibdin (Football NSW)
  • Matt Rippon (Football Federation Australia)

The addition of Harper to this panel comes at a very important time as the World Cup preparations are already underway.

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Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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