Football Australia launches National Referee Academy

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Football Australia have announced the establishment of the Football Australia Referee Academy (FARA), designed to transform the Match Official pathway and cultivate the development of world-class officials.

FARA is aligned with Football Australia’s XI Principles, with the aim of creating an elite environment for nurturing match officials at all different levels, further lifting the standards of Australian football.

FARA adopts a holistic approach to improving match officials, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the demands of professional football, both domestically and in a global sense

By implementing a consistent and comprehensive education framework, FARA bridges the gap between NPL and A-Leagues, fostering seamless transition and growth for aspiring match officials.

The Academy is a critical component of the ‘Elite Refereeing Development Strategy’, setting a new standard for officiating excellence in Australian football.

Upon launching FARA, Football Australia Head of Referees Nathan Magill said: “Australian officials are highly regarded around the world, which is reflected in the record number of Australian officials who are currently on this year’s FIFA Panel of International Referees.

“The introduction of the Football Australia Referee Academy is about ensuring we continue to develop world-class officials, and by implementing a consistent and comprehensive education framework, the Academy bridges the gap between the state NPL and national A-Leagues’ competitions, fostering seamless transition and growth for aspiring match officials.

“The Football Australia Referee Academy is a critical component of the Elite Refereeing Development Strategy, demonstrating our commitment to raising the bar for officiating excellence and contributing to the overall success of Australian football,” concluded Magill.

FARA will see up to a dozen referees or assistant referees each intake commences a two-year program, which features dedicated referee education, training and mentoring to provide greater individual support covering technical, physical, and mental aspects to underpin accelerated development.

After a rigorous selection process, FARA has confirmed its inaugural intake. These selected referees will benefit from specialist training, mentoring programs, and access to the latest technology and resources. This will improve their decision-making skills and game management, preparing them to suceed in professional football environments.

For the inaugural Referee Academy intake, Football Australia received over 30 nominations, with twelve referees and assistant referees selected by an extensive panel consisting of former FIFA Referee Jacqui Hurford, former A-League Men’s Assistant Referee Daniel Goodwin, and National Wellbeing Manager Kay Robinson, with the 2023 program commencing in late May 2023.

Football Australia Referee Academy – Inaugural intake, Class of 2023

Name of Official State Member Federation Referee or Assistant
Zijad Ahmetovic Football QLD Referee
Vicky Clark Football QLD Assistant Referee
Nick Elagin Football SA Assistant Referee
Mackenzie Janes Football QLD Referee
Alexis Johnson Football NSW Assistant Referee
Page Malau-Aduli Football QLD Referee
Paula Malau-Aduli Football QLD Assistant Referee
Astro Sakalis Football VIC Assistant Referee
Nathan Shakespear Capital Football Referee
William Samsa Football VIC Assistant Referee
Courtney Van Diesen Football VIC Referee
Declan Woods Capital Football Referee

CLICK HERE to view the FARA Member Federation Information Pack.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

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Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

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