Trip of a lifetime for Alexandra Georgopoulos

It’s not every day a 17-year-old Australian referee earns an opportunity to travel to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich to attend a Fan Focus seminar, but this dream turned into a reality for one of Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association officials Alexandra Georgopoulos.

Pinpointed as one of NSW’s aspiring bright female referee stars of the future, Georgopoulos set off for Switzerland to take part in what has been described as a trip of a lifetime albeit it during the most important months of her life, juggling it along with her HSC examinations.

Recognised as one of the youngest attendees of the FIFA Fan Focus Group, Georgopoulos’ parents greatly assisted their daughter in being able to sit her HSC exams while abroad.

She was one of 26,200 fans to complete a FIFA Fan Survey and her story won over the FIFA officials who invited the wildly eyed youngster which she grabbed with both hands.

Georgopoulos appeared in this year’s Football NSW and Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association’s campaign for encouraging officials to register for the new season – so her talents have continued to grab the headlines.

You could say Alexandra is a unique all-rounder in the world game as apart from her officiating she also plays, coaches and holds a position as a committee member at the Strathfield Strikers Football Club – not bad for someone that still has the world at her feet.

Watch this space as the Canterbury Referees Association branch member is sure to be one to look out for in years to come.