Football NSW Referee Academy graduates ready for next level
The Football NSW Referees Department bid farewell to ten members of its Referee Academy who graduated from the two-year program.
These match officials were first selected in the FNSW Academy at the start of the 2021 season.
Over the course of two years, the young and aspiring referees experienced working with a Strength & Conditioning coach as well as took part in a variety of tournaments and coaching from NPL, A-Leagues and FIFA match officials.
Several Academy match officials were selected to represent Football NSW at the 2022 National Youth Championships after the tournaments had been cancelled in previous years due to the pandemic.
Graduate Blake Sanchez-Cruz offered words of advice to the incoming Academy members.
“Don’t waste the opportunity to be in the Academy. So many people want to be in your shoes, so don’t waste the opportunity you’ve been given,’ said Blake Sanchez-Cruz.
Fellow graduate Siobhan Gregory echoed Sanchez-Cruz’s sentiments.
“My resilience and confidence improved, and I learned a fair bit being part of this fantastic program,” said Siobhan Gregory.
Former Football NSW Referee Education Coordinator, Rob Nieuwenhuis attended the graduation event to farewell his final Academy group after launching the program in 2015.
“I’m extremely proud of each and everyone of them and everything they have accomplished over the past couple of years.
“I would like to wish them all nothing but the best of luck as I am sure we will see them continue to grow and develop further into fine referees.”
Football NSW’s recently appointed Referee Education Coordinator Nick Young will now take charge of the Academy in 2023 and beyond.
The graduating class of 2022:
- Blake Sanchez-Cruz – Canterbury Referees Association
- Carlos Barriga – St George Football Referees Association
- Charbel Geha – Canterbury Referees Association Incorporated
- Ethan Zvargulis Football South Coast Referees
- Harry Fisher – Football South Coast Referees
- Joshua Moussa – Blacktown City Soccer Referees Branch
- Marissa Grant – Macarthur District Football Referees Association
- Matt Harris – Macarthur District Football Referees Association
- Siobhan Gregory – North West Sydney Football Referees Association
- Tom Bury – Ku-Ring-Gai & District Football Referees Association
