Referee Talent Watch
This month’s referee talent watch segment is shared by two assistant referees, Nicholas Backo and Gareth Askham.
Both boys have enjoyed a fantastic year on the Telechoice Premier League, their efforts and dedication have benefited the game.
Their performances have steadily improved with the assistance of the NSW Football Referees INC’s development program.
Their hard work this year have not been unnoticed as they have been selected to participate in the upcoming newly formed National Youth League competition.
Sharing this month’s segment will come as a no surprise to some as both are respectable young gentlemen possessing the same hard working ethics and always look sharp on the field.
Twenty four year old Gareth originally from the Sutherland branch joined the NSW Football referee’s division six years ago and since has developed into a very good competent Assistant Referee, he posses a very good signalling technique and is reliable to fully assist the man in the middle.
Gareth has a bright future and there is strong evidence to suggest that he is heading in the right direction as he strives to reach the highest level.
Twenty year old Nicholas joined the division last year from the Granville branch. The move from district to semi professional football was the best move Nicholas has made.
Nicholas has also developed into a very good Assistant Referee and surprisingly it’s his first year in the Telechoice Premier League panel.
The main reason why he has developed so quickly can be easily attributed to his attitude towards implementing coaching points from assessors.
Under the watchful eye of the NSW State League Football Referees Inc Nicholas will without a doubt progress further in the State.
Read more about Nicholas and Gareth below.
Q. Why did you choose to take up refereeing?
(Nicholas) Not really sure 100% why but always had some sort of an appeal to it I guess because it was a way to make some money and to enjoy the sport I love.
(Gareth) I stopped playing football when I was 16 and followed in my Dad?s footsteps of refereeing. I had done a few club lines to help my Dad out when I was kid so it was an obvious career choice.
Q. Have you played the game?
(Nicholas) Played for 11 years starting at U6?s and finished at about U16?s.
(Gareth) Started playing when I was 7 and as above stopped when I was 16. Still play indoor over the summer with friends.
Q. Apart from football what sport do you like to watch or participate in?
(Nicholas) Love nearly every sport but have also played a little bit of hockey and tennis. Will watch pretty much any sport especially those that have an Australian representative.
(Gareth) Have been playing Ice Hockey for the past 3-4 years, first as a player now as a goalie. Still try and get the odd game of golf in from time to time, but spare weekends are at a premium at the this time of year.
Q. Is there a sporting idol in your life?
(Nicholas) Have always admired Tony Vidmar and Alex Tobin because for me they sum up the Australian footballer perfectly. Can?t go past Johnny Warren either.
(Gareth) No not really. Not really a big fan of idolizing any one person.
Q. When not refereeing what do you like to do?
(Nicholas) Spend most of my time outside of refereeing with friends and family or playing some sort of sport.
(Gareth) If I?m not involved in football or sport, I usually tend to watch a fair bit of it. Also like watching movies and the usual things that 20-somethings do. At the moment housework seems to be featuring far too much in my ?spare time?, the perks of living on your own I suppose.
Q. And finally, in refereeing sense, where would you like to see yourself in five years time?
(Nicholas) I guess ideally I would like to be on the Hyundai A-League assistant referees panel and pushing for a FIFA badge.
(Gareth) With the National Youth League starting I hope to get some good experience under my belt to hopefully push for the Hyundai A-League in the next few years; from there I guess I?ll see where things take me.
-Written by Sandro Perticarini (www.asrfnsw.com.au)
