New Futsal Referee Academy Set to Develop Australia’s Next Officials
Football Australia has officially launched the Football Australia Futsal Referee Academy (FAFRA), a new national initiative designed to strengthen the futsal referee pathway and create greater development opportunities for emerging officials aged 19–24.
The inaugural program brings together seven referees from across the country who will undertake a structured development experience focused on technical refereeing skills, match control, positioning, and enhanced game awareness.
The Academy aims to fast-track the progression of young officials while improving consistency and performance standards across the national futsal landscape.
Football NSW has congratulated its selected representatives in the program, with three NSW officials included among the group: Thomas Dale, Mitchell Renton, and Blake Sanchez-Cruz. They join fellow participants Jayden Betterman, Ben Howell, Jessica Jensen, and Mitchell Lawson as part of the first intake.
Supporting the referees is a dedicated panel of referee coaches integrated into the Academy structure.
The coaching group also features strong NSW representation, including Gareth Biggs, Josh Eastwood, and Peter Liaros, alongside Sean Grimmond, Matt Lever, and Richard McGuinness.
Football Australia’s Futsal Referee Lead Educator and former FIFA Futsal Referee Ryan Shepheard said the initiative marks a significant milestone for the sport in Australia.
“This initiative has never been delivered before in Australian futsal, making this the beginning of an exciting new chapter for referee development,” Shepheard said.
The FAFRA program represents a major step forward in building a clear and supported pathway for futsal referees nationwide, with a strong focus on developing the next generation of match officials equipped for the demands of the modern game.
