NSW Officials Reach A-Leagues Milestones in 2025/26 Season
Football NSW has congratulated 11 match officials who have reached significant career milestones after making their debuts in the A-League Women and A-League Men competitions during the first half of the 2025/26 A-Leagues season.
The appointments highlight the continued strength of the refereeing pathway in New South Wales, with officials progressing from grassroots and state competitions to Australia’s top professional leagues.
Several NSW officials stepped onto the A-League Women stage for the first time, beginning with Cameron Wright, who made his debut on 21 December 2025 at Sam Kerr Football Park during the Round 8 clash between Perth Glory and Adelaide United. Just days earlier, Harriet Gee was appointed as Fourth Official for the Round 8 fixture between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory at No. 2 Sportsground.
The opening round of the season also saw Lucy Hungerford make her debut as an Assistant Referee on 31 October 2025, officiating the match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory at Wanderers Football Park. Patrick Teleki followed with his first A-League Women appointment as an Assistant Referee on 17 January 2026 at McKellar Park, for the Round 13 encounter between Canberra United and Wellington Phoenix.
Another standout moment came when Sophie Allum debuted as a Referee on 7 December 2025 at Polytec Stadium, officiating the match between Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets, after the fixture was rescheduled due to extreme heat conditions. Looking ahead, Alana Zic is set to make her A-League Women debut as a Fourth Official in the upcoming Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium on 31 January 2026, when Sydney FC host Western Sydney Wanderers.
NSW officials have also made a strong impression in the A-League Men competition. Alessandro Llana debuted as an Assistant Referee on 21 December 2025 at Sky Stadium, officiating the Round 9 fixture between Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners. Brodie Merchant made his first appearance as a Fourth Official earlier in the season on 23 November 2025, during the Round 5 match between Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory at McDonald Jones Stadium.
A notable Round 6 fixture at Polytec Stadium on 29 November 2025 saw two NSW officials make their A-League Men debuts, with Eric Saba appointed as Referee for the clash between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City, while Thomas Dale made his debut in the same match as Fourth Official.
Rounding out the list of debutants, Jake Rose officiated his first A-League Men match as Fourth Official in Round 2 on 24 October 2025, overseeing the encounter between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium, while Matt Staples made his debut on 19 December 2025 at Campbelltown Stadium in the Round 9 match between Macarthur FC and Brisbane Roar.
Football NSW congratulates all officials on reaching these important milestones and commends their dedication, professionalism, and continued progression within the national refereeing pathway.
