NSW Officials Selected for Historic Hahn Australia Cup Final

Football NSW will be proudly represented at this year’s Hahn Australia Cup Final as Emma Kocbek and Hugh Fenton-White take on key officiating roles for the highly anticipated clash between Heidelberg United and the Newcastle Jets at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday, 4 October.

Kocbek has been appointed as Assistant Referee, while Fenton-White will serve as the Fifth Official. The pair will join Referee Adam Kersey (Football Queensland), Assistant Referee Paula Orlandi (Football South Australia), and Fourth Official Lachlan Keevers (Football Victoria) for what promises to be a memorable final between the NPL Victoria Champions and Mark Milligan’s Jets.

In a landmark moment, Kocbek and Orlandi will become the first female assistant referees to officiate in a Hahn Australia Cup Final. Kocbek is no stranger to breaking barriers—she made history earlier this year as the first on-field female match official in an Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final, where she also served as an assistant referee.

“I would like to congratulate Adam, Emma, Paula, Lachlan, and Hugh on their appointment to this year’s Hahn Australia Cup Final,” said Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock.

“Officiating knockout football at the highest level requires composure, consistency, and professionalism. Their selection reflects the outstanding standard they’ve maintained throughout the tournament.

We can’t wait to see the Final unfold at Lakeside Stadium and celebrate another memorable chapter in the Hahn Australia Cup story.”

Football Australia Head of Referees Jon Moss echoed the praise, recognising the magnitude of the achievement for the match officials.

“Officiating a major cup final is one of the highest honours in a referee’s career. I was fortunate enough to referee the FA Cup Final myself, and I know firsthand what a privilege—and a responsibility—it is,” said Moss.

“You only get the chance to do it once, which makes it all the more special.

Congratulations to each of the officials selected for the Hahn Australia Cup Final. Your hard work, consistency, and professionalism have earned you this moment. I hope they enjoy every second of it—they’ve truly earned it.”

On the pitch, the match marks a significant occasion for both clubs. It’s only the second time in the modern era of the competition that a Member Federation club has reached the Final. Heidelberg United’s fairytale run has captivated fans nationwide, with the semi-professional side defeating three Isuzu UTE A-League opponents without conceding a single goal.

They now stand just one step away from completing the ultimate cup story.

Their opponents, Newcastle Jets FC, will contest their first-ever Hahn Australia Cup Final and their first national cup final appearance in club history. Backed by passionate support, the Jets will be eager to seize this historic opportunity and bring silverware back to the Hunter region.

It’s also a historic night for Heidelberg United, who return to a national cup final for the first time since 1994, when they fell 6-0 to Melbourne Knights FC in the NSL Cup Final.

With history on the line for both sides—and a pioneering officiating team at the helm—the 2025 Hahn Australia Cup Final promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable occasion.