NSW Touch Football (NSWTF) advises of an important leadership transition within its refereeing community, with Ian Matthew stepping down after an extraordinary 34 years as NSWTF Referees Director and Sam Clark appointed by the NSWTF Board as the new Director, effective immediately.
Ian’s contribution to refereeing in NSW is difficult to capture through years of service alone. Across more than three decades, he has provided sustained leadership, built and strengthened referee programs, supported the development of technical panels and helped establish pathways that have enabled referees and referee coaches to progress from community competitions to the highest levels of the sport.
His commitment has extended well beyond tournament appointments and administration. Ian has been a mentor, advocate and trusted source of knowledge for generations of referees, coaches, volunteers and administrators. His service has also included time on the NSWTF Board, providing a strong refereeing voice within the broader leadership of the organisation.
Ian’s impact was recognised with a standing ovation at the recent NSWTF Referees Awards Dinner, a fitting acknowledgement from the community he has served for so long.
NSWTF Chief Executive Officer Daniel Rushworth said Ian’s contribution had been remarkable; “Ian’s 34 years as Referees Director represents an extraordinary level of service to NSW Touch Football and to the sport more broadly. The programs, pathways and opportunities available to referees across NSW today have been shaped significantly by Ian’s leadership, knowledge and relentless commitment. While Ian is stepping down from the Director role, we are extremely pleased that he will remain involved with the Referees Panel and mentor Sam through the next 12 months. This will provide valuable continuity while allowing the next generation of leadership to take the program forward.”
Sam Clark appointed as NSWTF Referees Director
The NSWTF Board has appointed experienced referee coach and Panel member Sam Clark as the new NSWTF Referees Director.
Sam brings broad experience across referee coaching, education, appointments, fitness and conditioning, talent identification and pathway development. She has spent the past four years coaching National Referee Squad referees and has attended the two most recent Asia Pacific competitions as a Federation of International Touch Referee Coach. Sam was also part of the referee coaching panel at the most recent State of Origin series in Coffs Harbour.
Within NSW, Sam has contributed to the State Referee Coaching Panel across the Elite Referee Squad, appointments and female referee development portfolios. This has included presenting through the Her Sport Her Way program and supporting young female referees progressing toward the NSW Touch Referee Youth Squad program.
Sam has also held referee coaching and appointments responsibilities with the Hunter Western Hornets and Nelson Bay Touch Association, where she has helped deliver referee courses and supported the development of local and representative referees. Her Certificate III and IV qualifications in fitness have complemented this work through the delivery of fitness, strength and conditioning programs for referees at local, state and national pathway levels.
Sam said she was honoured to be appointed and excited by the opportunity to lead the next chapter of refereeing in NSW; “I am incredibly proud to be appointed NSWTF Referees Director and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a refereeing community that has given me so much. Ian has established an enormous legacy, and I look forward to working closely with him, the Referees Panel and NSWTF staff to ensure we maintain the strengths of the existing program while continuing to evolve. My focus will be on strengthening referee and referee-coach pathways, supporting recruitment and retention, creating opportunities for emerging leaders and building a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture across the state.”
Sam’s initial priorities will include working with Panel members and NSWTF staff to confirm portfolio responsibilities, strengthen referee education, support preparations for upcoming NSWTF events and continue developing sustainable pathways for referees and referee coaches.
Stability through the transition period
Recognising the significance of the leadership change and the importance of maintaining stability across the referee program, the NSWTF Board has also endorsed a 12-month extension of the current Referees Panel members’ terms through to 30 June 2027. The extension will allow the Panel to maintain continuity across its key portfolios while Sam transitions into the Director role, Ian provides mentoring and support, and NSWTF continues implementing its updated technical governance framework.
The Referees Panel members continuing through the transition period are Ian Matthew, Chris Dolahenty, Mike Harris, Paul Cini, Adam Foley, Frank Dryden, Erene Devall, Debbie Bridgman, Amanda Draper, Caren Friend, Bill Slade, Phil Rainger, Phil Lowe, Andrew Smith and Steve Fisher.
The Panel members bring significant knowledge and experience across referee education, coaching, appointments, development, high performance and competition delivery. Retaining that experience throughout the transition period will support consistent decision-making and provide stability for referees, referee coaches and competitions across the state.
Early in 2027, NSWTF will reopen the expression-of-interest process for the Referees Director and Referees Panel positions. This process will provide members of the refereeing community with an opportunity to nominate for leadership and Panel roles ahead of the new terms commencing from 1 July 2027.
Daniel Rushworth said the transition arrangements were designed to balance continuity with the opportunity for future renewal. “With a new Director commencing, a revised Panel Charter in place and broader changes occurring across NSWTF’s performance, pathways and integrity functions, it is important that the referee program has stability during this period. Extending the Panel’s terms through to June 2027 ensures we retain important organisational and technical knowledge while supporting Sam as she establishes herself in the Director role. The EOI process will reopen early next year, ensuring there is a clear and transparent opportunity for members of the refereeing community to contribute to the next phase of the program.”
Daniel said Sam’s experience and collaborative leadership approach positioned her strongly to guide the program forward. “Sam has continually demonstrated a deep commitment to referee development across every level of the pathway. She understands the technical and operational demands of the role and has a clear vision centred on education, collaboration, succession and continuous improvement. The Board and I are confident Sam will provide strong leadership while respecting the history and experience that have made the NSW referee program so successful.”
NSWTF congratulates Sam on her appointment, thanks each of the Referees Panel members for continuing their service throughout this important transition period and extends its sincere appreciation to Ian for an unparalleled 34 years of leadership to the sport and refereeing community.