The New South Wales Touch Football refereeing community came together in record numbers on Saturday night for the 2025–2026 Referees Awards Night.
Referees were joined by their families, friends, affiliates, mentors and supporters for an evening dedicated to recognising achievement, service and the people who continue to strengthen refereeing across New South Wales.
What was once primarily an occasion to induct newly graded State Referees and present them with their prestigious Blue Blazer has grown into one of the most significant nights on the refereeing calendar.
The evening now celebrates every stage of the refereeing pathway.
Members of the Talented Referee Youth Squad (TRYS) were formally inducted, regional award recipients were recognised and the Referees of the Tournament from NSW Touch Football’s major state events were celebrated.
The night also acknowledged referees who have provided continuous service to the sport, welcomed the newest State Referees into an exclusive and respected group, and concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Matthew Medal for Referee of the Year.
While the awards recognised outstanding performances and achievements, the evening was also filled with community spirit, humour and plenty of laughs.
A number of unscripted “Oprah moments” and on-the-spot questions allowed those in attendance to learn more about the referees behind the whistle, hear their stories and see them from a different perspective away from the touch field.
STATE GRADED REFEREES
645 Harrison Brownlow
646 Jackson Lamont
647 Noah Lockyer
648 Dan McKenzie
649 Hugo Ryall
650 Meg Toparis
651 Lynda Scott
TALENTED REFEREES YOUTH SQUAD (TRYS)
Maddison Beaven – Carlingford Cyclones
Caleb Berry – Ballina
Jonathan Brownlow – Hornsby
Christian Clemente – Forster
Benji Erickson – Yass
Kaelen Fean – Wallsend
Ella McFadden – Nelson Bay
Michael Perry – Northern Suburbs
Emily Pearson – Nelson Bay
Hamish Pirie – Mudgee
Zachary Spiers – Griffith
Joining the current squad members:
Tara Roche – Hills Hornets
Dexter Roberts – Orange Thunder
Jessica Loring – Hills Hornets
The 2025–2026 Referee of the Tournament recipients were:
Country Championships 2025 Referee of the Tournament
Trisha Cortaville-Smith
Vawdon Cup 2025 Referee of the Tournament
Tony Calabria
State Cup 2025 Seniors Divisions Referee of the Tournament
Jason Whitney
State Cup 2025 Opens Divisions Referee of the Tournament
Emma Bleasdale
Junior State Cup Southern Conference 2026 Referee of the Tournament
Hayden Drapalski
Junior State Cup Northern Conference 2026 Referee of the Tournament
Trisha Cortaville-Smith
Junior Regionals 2026 Referee of the Tournament
Harrison Brownlow
5 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Blake Brown
Brock Howard
Jacob Nelson
Edward Stanmore
Kane Thorburn
Caleb Walz
10 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Alec Clark
John Clark
Ivan Cole
Patrick Moran
Greg Oaten
Ben Rogers
Andrew Smith
Craig South
Malcolm Ward
15 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Paul Khoudair
Phillip Rainger
20 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Peter Jones
25 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Rina Janson
Phil Lowe
Barry McNamarra
30 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Wayne Doran
Steve Lyons
Bill Slade
35 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Erene Devall
40 YEARS CONTINOUS SERVICE TO THE REFEREEING ARM
Steve Fisher
MATTHEW MEDAL 2025/2026
David Baggio
REGIONAL AWARDS
SYDNEY SCORPIONS
Bill Slade Referee Of The Year – Bill Calleja
Bill Slade Jnr Referee Of The Year – Harrison Brownlow
SYDNEY METS
Referee Of The Year – Matthew Bowcock
SOUTHERN REBELS
Referee Of The Year – Emma Bleasdale
WEST SOUTH WEST SUNS
Most Improved Referee – Zac Spiers and Benji Erickson
Devall/Dolahenty Referee Of The Year – Connor Lane
Rod Wise Suns Jnrs Referee Of The Year – Charlie Cheesley
HUNTER WESTERN HORNETS
Hornets Champs Referee Of The Year – Paul George
Don Green Western Jnr Championship – Paul George
Peter Wilson Memorial Championships – Adam Dangel
Referee Of The Year – Thomas Donehue
Sam Clark Exceptional Achievement – Amanda Crowley
NORTHERN EAGLES
AL Williams Referee Of The Year – Trisha Cortaville-Smith
Tony Mellick Northern Eagles Champs – Dan Mckenzie
Garry “Bear” Forster Most Improved – Christian Clemente
NSW Touch Football congratulates every award recipient, State Referee, Talented Referee Youth Squad member and service award recipient recognised throughout the evening.
The record attendance demonstrated the strength of the refereeing community and the tremendous support surrounding those who dedicate themselves to officiating our game.
Congratulations to everyone recognised on Saturday night and thank you to the families, friends, affiliates, mentors and supporters who helped make the evening such a memorable celebration.
