Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) is pleased to announce the Newcastle Permanent Community Referee of the Month for May 2017 across the zones.
“Referees are vital to the enjoyment of the game by players, coaches and spectators alike and each of this month’s winners have shown that they take this responsibility very seriously,” NNSWF Community Football Manager Peter Haynes said.
“I congratulate each of the winners on their award on behalf of NNSWF and all players, coaches and spectators across the state.”
Each winner will be presented a prize pack including a jacket, cap, water bottle and a referee card set to assist in fulfilling their valuable duties on and off the field.
From the pool of monthly winners, a “Newcastle Permanent Referee of the Year” for each Zone will be recognised at the Northern NSW Football Annual Awards Night.
Newcastle Permanent Acting CEO Mark Williams echoes Haynes’ sentiments and applauds the volunteers who received the award.
“Through providing this award, we hope to encourage players, parents and supporters to respect referees and other match officials who are working hard to ensure the game is played fairly,” Williams said.
The May Newcastle Permanent Community Referee of the Month Award recipients from across each of its seven Member Zones are as follows:
Connor Barnden
Football Far North Coast
Connor constantly makes himself available to referee every weekend. Even when he’s played a game for his team. He also will referee on short notice if required and if it is possible for him to do so. Connor is very good at refereeing young teams (e.g. 12yrs ). Explaining what they did wrong and making it fun for them to play.
Chad Uhrig
Football Mid North Coast
Chad has always been there to referee when asked and even when not appointed and asked with a few hours notice. He volunteers his time at local gala days for not pay EVERY year without being asked. He referees at a high standard and is well respected within the football community. He would be a perfect recipient Community Referee of the month for FMNC.
Cooper Wills
Hunter Valley Football
Cooper is a lovely young fellow who does an awesome job at referring, he is also a strong team player and is always helpful especially when he’s being an assistant ref. He has the respect of the players and his peers.
Wayne Buchmasser
Macquarie Football
Wayne always volunteers to referee games even though he would prefer to be on the sidelines watching his son play. He wants all the boys to know the rules of the game and explains his decisions as he goes so the boys understand. Even though he has been involved in the sport a long time he still attends courses to upgrade his skills.
Elizabeth Lambert
Newcastle Football
I just thought I’d spend a couple of minutes to send you an email to highlight a great performance by one of our referees today (Elizabeth Lambert).
This afternoon my Under 16/1 A-Grade New Lambton team had a very hard fought 1-1 draw with Cooks Hill.
Many of the boys from both teams go to school together at St Pius X so it was a contest that had been eagerly anticipated in the playground all through the previous week! … It was a fiercely contested game with both teams playing aggressively (but fairly) to try to get the better of the other.
The referee was outstanding throughout – She made decisions quickly and decisively and got the boys (from both teams) to calm down when they were in danger of getting too physical. She allowed the game to flow and was instrumental in letting the game turn out to be the great match that it ended up. Many spectators came up to me afterwards to comment on how it was such an exciting game.
I think too many people (players, coaches and parents) are too quick to be critical of our long-suffering Match Officials so please pass on my congratulations to the referee, who I personally thanked after the game. Her contribution was critical to making it such a fine match.
Can I also say that the boys from the Cooks Hill team and their Coach and Match Officials conducted themselves superbly throughout?
When we have games like today, played in such great spirit, it reminds me what an excellent competition we have. It is fantastic for the kids to be able to play this great game in such an organised structure and supervised by great, enthusiastic, young Referees!
Jack Schafer
North Coast Football
Jack is a young referee who has worked very hard to improve his skills over the last few years. He is always keen to learn more and attends regular training sessions. Living in a regional area, Jack is often travelling many hundreds of kilometres to improve his skills as a referee. What is most pleasing is that Jack will spend time training young referees and providing assistance in their education. Jack is a great role model for all young referees.
Ryan Hendrickse
Northern Inland Football
Ryan is an accurate and consistent referee.
