NSW Referees Shine on National Stage at Emerging Championships
A strong contingent of match officials from Football NSW has delivered an outstanding performance at the recent Emerging Matildas and Socceroos Championships, underlining the state’s strength in referee development.
A total of 19 referees and six coaches represented New South Wales at the prestigious national tournaments, following a rigorous year-long selection process and an intensive six-week pre-tournament education series.
Across 12 days of competition, officials from every state and territory came together to officiate 189 matches held in Sydney and Melbourne.
NSW referees stood out among their peers, earning centre referee roles in 10 of the 12 semi-finals and grand finals across both competitions, as well as securing 14 assistant referee and fourth official appointments.
Football NSW Referee Education Coordinator Nick Young praised the group’s efforts and commitment throughout the program.
“The performance of our referees is a testament to their hard work and the development and support they have received from their branches throughout this process,” Young said.
“They should all feel extremely proud of how they have performed and represented themselves, their branch and Football NSW.”
Grand Final Appointments
Emerging Matildas Championships (EMC)
- U15s Grand Final: Chloe Holmes (Fourth Official)
- U16s Grand Final: Hannah Pola (AR2), Lilian Hayes (Fourth Official)
Emerging Socceroos Championships (ESC)
- U15s Grand Final: Charlie Hollings (Referee), Sebastian Ruskin (AR1), Nina Cortese (Fourth Official)
- U16s Grand Final: Rowan Fisher (Referee)
Individual accolades further highlighted NSW’s success, with Charlie Hollings named U15s Boys Referee of the Tournament and Rowan Fisher earning U16s Boys Referee of the Tournament honours.
Emerging Matildas Referees
Sarah Sharples (St George Football Referees Association)
Chloe Holmes (Southern Tablelands Referees)
Olivia Volpato (Football South Coast)
Aaliyah Elzein (St George Football Referees Association)
Taylah Stiskin (Granville Districts Football Referees Association)
Eliza Skinner (Canterbury Referees Association)
Hannah Pola (North West Sydney Football Referees Association)
Olivia Chivers (St George Football Referees Association)
Lilian Hayes (Central Coast Referees)
Emerging Matildas Coaches
Maddy Allum (Canterbury Referees Association)
Isabella Mossin (North West Sydney Football Referees Association)
Molly Godsell (Nepean Referees Group)
Emerging Socceroos Referees
Marco Venturino (St George Football Referees Association)
Dante Diaz (Canterbury Referees Association)
Charlie Hollings (North West Sydney Football Referees Association)
Nina Cortese (Southern District Referees)
Sebastian Ruskin (Northern Suburbs Football Referees Association)
Liam Smith (Bathurst Referees)
Rowan Fisher (North West Sydney Football Referees Association)
Noah Moss (Football NSW Referees)
Brooklyn Faucett (Football South Coast)
Hannah Sheridan (Manly Warringah Football Referees Association)
Emerging Socceroos Coaches
Hamish Little (Football NSW)
Casey Reibelt (Football NSW)
Emma Kocbek (Football NSW)
The results reinforce the strength of the referee development pathway in New South Wales, with officials not only participating but excelling on the national stage.
