Football NSW Referee Academy for 2025 Announced
Football NSW has announced the 13 rising stars selected for the 2025 Referee Academy, following a rigorous trial process that saw over 100 referees from across the state competing for highly sought-after spots.
The selection process included Laws of the Game quizzes, fitness tests, speed and agility evaluations, and on-field assessments during live match scenarios over an 8-week period.
The Football NSW Referee Academy is dedicated to developing referees for success at state and national levels, with the ultimate goal of being identified by Football Australia as future referees or assistant referees in the A-League Women’s and Men’s Competitions.
Football NSW Referee Academy members will receive specialized speed and agility training, tailored physical programs, opportunities to officiate at tournaments, targeted match day coaching, and access to both national and international referee coaches, along with mentorship from experienced NPL and A-Leagues referees.
Several Academy alumni have gone on to perform on the national and international stage, featuring in competitions such as Australia Cup, the A-Leagues, AFC and FIFA.
The alumni list can be found here.
Congratulations to the following referees selected for the 2025 Referee Academy:
- Alec Baele – Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association
- Chelsea Leung – Football South Coast Referees
- Grace Williams – Nepean Referees Group
- Hannah Stone – Nepean Referees Group
- Imran Kilani – Canterbury Referees Association
- Jayden Khong – Granville District Football Referees Association
- Josh Watkins – Blacktown City Soccer Referees Branch
- Lilian Hayes – Central Coast Football Referees
- Oliver Leanfore – Canterbury Referees Association
- Oliver Udovicic – Canterbury Referees Association
- Ruby Egan Brown – Football South Coast Referees
- Valentina Malagon Avila – Hills Football Referees
- Wael Arabi – Nepean Referees Group
The above list will join the existing Academy members listed below for the 2025 Season:
- Adam Maher – Canterbury Referees Association
- Alexander Zastavnikovic – Hills Football Referees
- Ben Hutchison – Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association
- Brayden McDonald – Central Coast Football Referees
- Eliza Skinner – Canterbury Referees Association
- Jack Nelson – Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association
- Kiana Woods – Blacktown City Soccer Referees Branch
- Lachlan Brownscombe – Sutherland Shire Football Referees Association
- Lucy Saul – North West Sydney Football Referees Association
- Marco Saalmans – Canterbury Referees Association
- Nina Cortese – Southern Districts Soccer Referees
Congratulations to the below members who graduated from the program recently on December 6th 2024.
- Alana Zic – Hills Football Referees
- Daniel Cornofsky – Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association
- Ella McGarity – Nepean Referees Group
- Hannah Sheridan – Manly Warringah Football Referees Association
- Isabella Vrtkovski – Granville District Football Referees Association
- James Makris – Granville District Football Referees Association
- Jasper White – Central Coast Football Referees
- Luke Chapman – St George Football Referees Association Inc
- Mayson Griffith – Shoalhaven District Football Referees Association
- Rory McFarlane – Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association
