The Football Australia Elite Refereeing Department, in collaboration with the Referees Committee, has finalised the Match Officials Panel for the inaugural Australian Championship.
Click here to view the Australian Championship Match Official Panel
The development of the Australian Championship is of the most significant goals that Football Australia has sought to achieve, with the competition not only providing a platform for the nation’s best up and coming players but also serving as a vital arena for the development of world class referees.
This selection underlines Football Australia’s ongoing commitment to refereeing development and excellence, ensuring that the Championship will be delivered to a high-quality level of officiating.
The panels represent a carefully assembled blend of highly experienced officials with years of national competition expertise and a new generation of emerging referees eager to make their mark on the national stage.
That breadth of experience includes officials such as Jack Morgan, Daniel Cook and Adam Bavcar who all have A-League refereeing experience.
Head of Refereeing at Football Australia, Jon Moss, said: “The Australian Championship is now one of the most important competitions on our calendar – not only for the players, but for referees as well.
“It is a stage where some of our most experienced officials showcase their professionalism, while also giving younger referees the opportunity to learn, grow, and test themselves at a higher level.
“We are bringing together a mix of seasoned referees and fresh faces in a supportive environment where knowledge is shared and the next generation of officials can thrive.”
General Manager Elite Refereeing at Football Australia, Alan Shortall, said: “One of the great strengths we are looking forward to from the Australian Championship is the platform it provides for our emerging referees.
“This competition allows young officials to step into a high-performance environment, a higher level of challenging competition, whilst learning from experienced colleagues and demonstrating their potential on a national stage.
“We are committed to creating pathways that ensure talented referees have every opportunity to succeed, and the Championship is a vital step in that journey.”
Final confirmation of the panel will be subject to the successful completion of fitness testing over the coming month.
Additionally, officials from the Ninja A-League Women’s Panel will also be considered for selection throughout the Championship.
