Northern NSW Football launches Referee Academy

Avatar
Image credit: Northern NSW Football

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) has confirmed the establishment of its first ever Referee Academy.

The two-year academy program aims to help referees build their knowledge, improve their skills, and progress in their careers.

The ultimate goal is to prepare them for opportunities to be selected for major tournaments and events, where they can perform at their very best.

Casey Reibelt, recently appointed as the NNSWF High Performance Referee Coach, will lead the NNSWF Referee Academy as part of her role.

She will oversee the education and development of the selected referees, delivering a combination of online and face-to-face workshops, coaching sessions, and other learning opportunities.

Through this support, referees will gain valuable experience, insights, and practical skills that will help them excel in officiating at higher levels.

All the referees chosen for the program have been identified as having the potential to become top-level match officials in the future.

Recognising their promise, Northern NSW Football is committed to investing in their growth and development.

Alongside the academy, Northern NSW Football has also set up a supplementary group, this group is made up of match officials who have shown strong potential and could be considered for the Referee Academy down the line.

This ensures there’s always a pathway for emerging talent to advance their careers and contribute to the game’s success.

NNSWF General Manager Referee Growth and Development Brad Carlin was excited to make the announcement. 

“The appointment of Casey Reibelt and the selection of the NNSWF Referee Academy and supplementary group are the outcome of considerable investment by the NNSWF Board of Directors and management to demonstrate their goal of developing our referee talent to the highest possible level,” he said in a press release.

“Congratulations to each of the match officials selected for the NNSWF Referee Academy and supplementary group.

“I look forward to watching them grow and develop.”

Here are the referees selected for the 2025-27 NNSWF Referee Academy and the Supplementary Group, showcasing some of the region’s brightest officiating talents.

2025-27 NNSWF Referee Academy

Tess Brumfield – NNSWF
Annie Hook – NNSWF Northern Inland
Harrison Coleman – NNSWF
Flynn Cope – NNSWF and Macquarie Football
Rory Hersee – NNSWF
Callum Hewitt – NNSWF
Caleb Low – NNSWF

2025-27 NNSWF Supplementary Group

Macy Johnson (NNSWF)
Isabella Walshe (NNSWF)
Tyson Baker (NNSWF)
Myles McCormack (NNSWF)

With the launch of the inaugural NNSWF Referee Academy, Northern NSW Football is confident these selected match officials will have every opportunity to reach their full potential and make a lasting impact on the game.

Previous ArticleNext Article

AC Milan and Puma Unveil New 2026/27 Away Kit

Avatar
Image Credit: AC Milan S.p.A.
AC Milan and Puma have officially unveiled the clubs the new 2026/27 away kit, a timeless white kit that celebrates resilience, heritage and the winning mentality that has defined the Rossoneri for generations.

Inspired by the phrase “after Istanbul, there is always Athens” the kit pays tribute to AC Milan’s triumph in the 2007 Champions League Final in Athens following their defeat in Istanbul in 2005. The message printed on the back of the collar, reflects the club’s enduring spirit and serves as a reminder that every setback can become the foundation for future success.

Leading the campaign is club legend Filipo Inzaghi who scored two goals to lead AC Milan in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final, embodying the determination, resilience and hunger that continues to define AC Milan’s identity.

Every detail on this years away kit reinforces this story. Gold accents and a laurel wrapped club crest celebrates a storied history of success, while the authentic version features the Greek inscription “Δύναμη Ψυχής” (“Strength of Spirit”) inside the collar. A subtle phoenix wing woven into the fabric symbolises renewal, resilience and the Club’s commitment to continually rising to new challenges.

The authentic jersey is engineered with PUMA’s advanced ULTRAWEAVE fabric, complemented by dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies to deliver lightweight feel and optimal performance. The replica version brings the same identity combining the same striking design with everyday wearability and is made with RE technology, incorporating 95% recycled polyester sourced from textile waste.

The new AC Milan 2026/27 Away Kit is available now through AC Milan Official Stores, the Club’s online store, PUMA and selected retailers worldwide.

Football NSW builds life‑saving network as cardiac safety push expands

Avatar
Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has distributed 20 defibrillators to associations and regional clubs through its Every Beat Matters campaign, part of a broader push to improve cardiac emergency preparedness across the state’s football network.

Sixteen of the devices were presented to participating associations at the inaugural Football NSW Association Championships in Mudgee. A further four went to regional clubs: Cowra and District Soccer Club, Westside Panthers, Yerrinbool Bargo Soccer Club and Narooma Football Club.

The rollout builds on the Heartbeat of Sport AED Mapping Project, which is mapping defibrillator placement at sporting facilities across NSW with funding from the Minns Labor Government. Twelve football associations have joined the effort, including Eastern Suburbs, Manly Warringah, Granville, Southern Districts, Nepean, Northern Suburbs, Football Canterbury, Bankstown, Hills, Sutherland Shire, North West Sydney Football and Football South Coast.

Data collected through the mapping project is being fed into NSW Ambulance’s GoodSAM emergency response system and NSW Health’s public AED map, enabling first responders to locate nearby defibrillators in real time.

The initiative responds to a gap that had gone largely unexamined. More than 2,400 defibrillators have been deployed across NSW sports facilities through the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $3,000 to eligible organisations. But a device not registered in emergency response systems provides significantly less value than one that is accurately mapped and immediately locatable.

The urgency is not abstract. At Doyalson Wyee Football Club, a 70‑year‑old player survived a sudden on‑field cardiac arrest because an AED was available on site. Survival rates drop by about 10 per cent for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is also establishing a long‑term defibrillator register to track equipment distribution, access and maintenance across all 636 clubs and 31 associations. The Every Beat Matters campaign, supported by Toyota and St John Ambulance, aims to raise about $240,000 through a raffle to fund an initial rollout of 65 defibrillators to clubs currently without access, prioritising regional and lower socio‑economic areas.

The #HeartHealthMatters Program is delivering CPR and AED familiarisation training to sporting organisations, with a particular focus on regional communities where ambulance response times are often longer and volunteer bases smaller.

The ambition, in the words of project organisers, is straightforward: that no preventable death occurs on a football ground because the right equipment was not there, or could not be found.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend