As part of the restructure of the Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) Referees Department the FFA has appointed a new National Referees Technical Committee.

The new National Technical Committee function, a requirement of FIFA member associations, will establish, in conjunction with FFA and State Member Federations, the direction of officiating in Australia.

Some of the key areas the National Referees Technical Committee will oversee and directly rule on include:

• Recommend appointments of Referees for international matches organised by FFA, or for any other tournaments, whenever requested to do so;

• Recommend candidates for the International List who are eligible to officiate at international matches according to FIFA Regulations governing the registration of international referees, assistant referees, futsal referees and beach soccer referees on FIFA’s lists;

• Provide advice and direction to ensure uniform implementation of the Laws of the Game;

• Enhance match official education through a standardised curriculum consistently implemented throughout Australia;

• Provide advice and direction aimed at improving refereeing structures and development throughout Australia.

Each of the committee representatives have been appointed based on their previous experience in the game, whether it be at an elite level or through community football involvement, and their skills in writing and developing the curriculum.

In an effort to ensure a knowledgeable perspective from the players’ point of view, representation from an ex-player to assist in the creation of the new curriculum and the items listed above has also been sought.

Click here to read Mark Shield's column on the National Referees Technical Committee.

The initial National Referees Technical Committee member are Mark Shield – Chairman, Airlie Keen – ex-FIFA Assistant Referee and Women’s World Cup Match Official, Nathan Gibson ex-FIFA Assistant Referee and 2006 World Cup Match Official, Sharon O’Neil – FFA referee instructor, Ben Wilson - ex-FIFA Assistant Referee and 2006 World Cup Match Official, Andy Harper – NSL player and media commentator.

The committee will be working very closely with the State Member Federations, State Referee Coaches and State Referee Technical Committees formulating policy and further developing the high standard of refereeing that exists in Australia.

The committee’s initial 12-18 month brief will be concentrating on the following areas:

• Drafting the national curriculum and FFA operating guidelines for referees which accords with FIFA and AFC.

• Implementing a new development structure in consultation with the State Member Federations

• Co-ordinating schedules to assist States with more training and development

• Conducting a review of existing guidelines and programs such as accreditation.

• Constructing a regular consultation and input process with key stakeholders.

The FFA is committed to developing football in Australia at all levels and the appointment of this new National Referees Technical Committee will serve to develop and improve the processes and performance of referees both domestically and on an international stage.